Local govt polls should be held before national elections: Jamaat

Highlights

• Jamaat presented 23 demands
• Expressed support for proportional representation elections
• Demands cancellation of the current strict political party registration laws
• Preparing to contest in all 300 parliamentary seats

The local government elections should be held before the national polls, Jamaat-e-Islami said today. 

Following a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin and other election commissioners at the Election Commission office in Agargaon today (13 February), Secretary General of Jamaat Professor Mia Golam Parwar told reporters that they discussed making elections free, fair, and inclusive, as well as the capabilities and limitations involved in the process.

"We have informed the Election Commission that the people expect the local government system to be operational. The people's desire is for the local government elections to be held early. We have expressed our respect and support for this desire," he also said.

Parwar said holding elections without reforms would hinder the opportunity for a truly fair and free election.

Jamaat's six-member delegation also included AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, Advocate Jasim Uddin Sarkar, SM Kamal Uddin and Yousuf Ali.

He added that Jamaat presented 23 demands, with a primary focus on the necessity of reforms for a fair election.

Jamaat also expressed support for proportional representation elections, stating that such a system would be beneficial for Bangladesh and necessary for the proper functioning of the Parliament.

This PR system is in more than 60 countries in the world, he said.

He said they proposed restoration of the Article 91 (A) of the 'Representation of the People Act' in a bid to give the full authority to the Election Commission to cancel an election partially and fully in case of irregularities.

"The previous government illegally undermined this authority (given in the Article 91 (A) of the Election Commission with political intention. We've said that it will have to be restored," he said.

He said they also proposed ensuring the voting rights of the expatriates as more than 10 million Bangladeshis are in foreign lands.

Pawar also said reforms were necessary.

"We have clearly told the Election Commission -- no election without reform. The government institutions and organisations related to the electoral process must be reformed before the elections. Otherwise, the elections will not be fair," Parwar said. 

"The parliamentary elections will have to be arranged after reforming at least all the divisions and organs involved in the election process. Otherwise, this election would not be neutral and free," said Golam Parwar.

"If elections are held without completing reforms, the previous three elections will be repeated. Whatever reforms are needed to make the election process fair, we have to complete them," he added.

He, however, clarified that the entire state needed not be reformed, but the necessary ones have to be done before elections.

"For this, the Jamaat-e-Islami government will stand by the government for as long as it takes. We have not set a specific day, month or time for this," he added.

"If they can hold a free and fair election completing the necessary reforms within the announced timeframe, we have no objection. Months are not a factor for us," he said.

In addition, Golam Parwar proposed the cancellation of the current strict political party registration laws, arguing that everyone should have the right to engage in politics.

In response to a question, he confirmed that Jamaat-e-Islami is preparing to contest in all 300 parliamentary seats and has finalised its candidates. Currently, the issue of Jamaat's party registration is pending in the court, but they remain hopeful for justice and for receiving their "scales" symbol in the election.