Jamaat calls for November referendum so EC gets 'practical experience' before February polls
“We want the referendum before the national election, preferably in November. In the past, referendums were held within a 10 to 21 days’ gap,” he said
The Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has proposed holding a referendum in November ahead of the February national election, presenting the idea to the Election Commission (EC) today (13 October).
Party leaders said the referendum would allow the EC to gain practical experience before conducting the national polls.
A Jamaat delegation led by Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher met with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, four election commissioners, and the EC secretary at the commission's Agargaon office.
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After the meeting, Taher told reporters that the party discussed several issues, including expatriate voting, voter lists, the NID and proportional representation (PR) processes, the appointment of returning officers, and the proposal for holding a referendum.
"We want the referendum before the national election, preferably in November. In the past, referendums were held within a 10 to 21 days' gap," he said.
Taher said holding the referendum on the same day as the national election would be risky.
"If both are held together and any problem arises, both will be affected. A separate referendum would be easier and help the EC gain practical experience," he added.
He described the process as simple and low-cost, using existing ballot boxes with expenses only for ballot papers, ink, and staff meals.
Taher also said holding both together would draw little attention, as voters would be focused on parliamentary polls. "If held separately, people will take it seriously," he added.
He added that the EC assured Jamaat that it is ready to conduct the referendum if the government approves it.
Other members of the delegation included AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, Advocate Jasim Uddin Sarkar, and Matiur Rahman Akand.
