BNP's complaints over peace committees, voter migration 'absurd': Jamaat
The party says BNP’s allegations stem from fear over rising support for Jamaat
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has dismissed a series of allegations, including the formation of "peace committees" and "unusual" voter migration, raised by the BNP as "absurd", claiming the party is making such complaints out of fear over Jamaat's growing public support.
The party's Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair made the remarks while responding to journalists' questions at the Nirbachan Bhaban in Dhaka, following a meeting between Jamaat delegation and the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin today (1 February).
The delegation also included members of the Jamaat women's wing.
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Earlier in the day, a BNP delegation met the CEC and raised multiple complaints without naming Jamaat directly. The party cited concerns over the presence of outsiders, the alleged formation of "peace committees", the appointment of local observers and "unusual" voter migration in different constituencies.
BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said the party informed the CEC about discussions they had heard regarding the formation of so-called "Shanti [Peace] Committees" in various constituencies in the name of maintaining law and order during the election.
Nazrul Islam, also the party's Election Steering Committee chairman, said the very term "peace committee" was unacceptable to them, adding that the Election Commission had told them they were unaware of any such plan and had taken no decision to form such bodies.
After Jamaat's meeting with the CEC in the afternoon, journalists asked Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair about the "peace committee" allegations. Rejecting the claims, he said, "These are absurd allegations that cannot come from a sound mind. No sane person or party can make such accusations."
He further claimed that one party had become restless after seeing the massive public support shifting towards Jamaat, and that fear was driving them to make such statements.
Referring to the killings of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Osman Hadi in Dhaka and Jamaat leader Rezaul Karim in Sherpur, Jubayer said these incidents posed serious obstacles to ensuring a level playing field and a peaceful vote.
He stressed that officials working at the field level under the EC must remain neutral, warning that otherwise questions would be raised over the credibility of the election.
The Jamaat leader also alleged that at various levels, responsibilities were being assigned in a way that favoured a particular party, and urged the commission not to lean in any direction. "If you do, questions will arise. The allegations made against Jamaat are not correct. The commission must act impartially," he said.
