Jamaat for reforms before elections

Jamaat-e-Islami has strongly advocated for reforms before elections.

"No election without reforms," The party's secretary general, Miah Golam Parwar, told the press after emerging from a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner and other EC officials at the Nirbachan Bhaban in Dhaka.

He said at least the state organs relevant to elections will have to be reformed before national election. "Otherwise, the election will not be neutral and free," he added.

The political party held the meeting with the commissioners and other officials when it is no longer registered with the EC, which bars them to participate in the elections.

Golam Parwar said their appeal to get back the registration was pending at a court with a hope that they will get justice in the court.

The Jamaat leader said without a fair national election the sacrifices made by those killed and injured during the students-led July-August mass uprising will go in vain.

He said to bring necessary reforms they are willing to give the interim government as much time as required.

He, however, said they did not advocate for bringing reforms to the entire state.

"This will take time. This will be done by the elected government," he added.

He said it is the duty of the interim government to ensure a neutral election and that for this they are willing to give the government "logical time".

Responding to a query, the Jamaat leader said people have expectations to see that the local government elections are taking place before the national polls, adding they support this expectation.

He also said the party has submitted a 23-point proposal to the EC, which is a shorter version of the proposal submitted earlier to the interim government's Electoral Process Reform Commission.

Of the key points, they have proposed for a proportional representation (PR) electoral system, reinstatement of the section 91(A) in the RPO, and the next election to be free from "black money".

Golam Parwar said during the about two-hour meeting that started from 10:00am, they have cordially discussed various issues involving the EC and elections.

The Jamaat delegation also included its Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad and Publicity Affairs Secretary Motiur Rahman Akand.