National election only after necessary reforms: Jamaat tells EC
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami today said essential reforms have to be carried out before holding the national election.
It also said the reforms are needed to ensure a free and fair election.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. "We've clearly told them (Election Commission) that (there will be) no (national) election without reforms," said Jamaat Secretary General Prof Mia Golam Parwar after a two-hour meeting with the officials at the EC.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, he emphasized that the parliamentary elections must take place only after reforming all key divisions and organs involved in the process. Otherwise, he warned, the election would not be neutral or free.
Parwar noted that previous national elections failed to ensure people's voting rights and that Jamaat seeks only the necessary reforms to make the process fair—not an overhaul of the state, which he said is the responsibility of an elected government.
"The interim government must implement the minimum reforms needed to ensure neutrality. Jamaat-e-Islami is willing to allow reasonable time for this," he added.
The Jamaat secretary general said they have not asked the EC any specific month or date for the election.
Replying to a question over the electoral preparation assuming the national election to be held in December next, he said the government has given a tentative idea over the election timeframe.
"If they can hold a free and fair election completing the necessary reforms within the announced timeframe, we have no objection," he said.
Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, four election commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Md Anwarul Islam Sarker and Brig Gen (Retd) Abdul Fazal Md Sanaullah, and EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed were present.
The six-member Jamaat delegation included Jamaat assistant secretary general AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, its central executive committee member Matiur Rahman Akand, publicity and media affairs secretary advocate Jashim Uddin Sarker, central majlish-e-shura member Advocate Yousuf Ali, Jamaat's Dhaka city unit leader Advocate Kamal Uddin.
During the meeting, the Jamaat leaders gave a 23-point written proposal to the Election Commission.
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