United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Wednesday urged the Election Commission to hold local government elections under the interim government before the 13th parliamentary polls. “The national election is approaching. Our demand is to hold the local government election before that — not only for now, but also for the future — under the non-partisan government, no matter what form of interim government would be,” said Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad. He said this while talking to reporters after a meeting between a three-member Jamaat delegation and Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at Nirbachon Bhaban in the city. The meeting came a day after the party regained its registration and traditional party symbol –Scales -following a court directive. The Jamaat leader said if the local government elections are held under an interim government, the polls will be much more neutral and credible. Replying to a question whether Jamaat has confidence in the current Election Commission, he said they are still observing everything of the government and the election body. “We’re observing. And where work is done properly, we will acknowledge it. We must describe black as black and white as white. If deviations occur, we will have to raise our voice…. We are hopeful that they (EC) will act responsibly keeping the public interest in mind,” he said. In the meeting, Jamaat delegation also raised the issue of introduction of proportional representation (PR) system in the election. Jamaat regains registration with ‘Scales’ symbol  “The PR system for (the sake of) fair elections is a good method. We have also raised this demand before the EC through the formal meeting," Azad said. About the voting rights of expatriates, Jamaat expressed its support for postal and online voting system. “We’ve suggested that the Commission consider postal and online systems as viable options for expatriate voting,” he said. Regarding the reinstatement of Jamaat registration, Azad said they regained their right that was unjustly taken away. "The restoration of registration with the symbol has set a new precedent,” he said. No one should serve as PM for over 10 years in lifetime: Jamaat “During the previous government's tenure, Jamaat's registration was unjustly cancelled and the party symbol was taken away for political reasons," said the Jamaat assistant secretary general. Two other Jamaat delegation members were its assistant secretary general Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair and Advocate Jashim Uddin Sarker.

  BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday criticised Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami for skipping the National Consensus Commission meeting on Tuesday due to fears of losing relevance after the national election. “Many were not happy with the meeting outcome because the election will bring danger for them. As long as there is no election, they hold considerable importance,” he said at a programme of the Dhaka North City Unit BNP. Once the election concludes, the BNP leader said, the party supported by people will come to power. In an oblique reference to Jamaat, he said the party is concerned about how much influence it will retain after the election. “That is why they were disappointed and did not attend the meeting with (Consensus Commission) yesterday (Tuesday),” Fakhrul said.  The programme was held on the premises of Sunbeams School to launch the Turag unit of Dhaka North BNP’s new membership form distribution and membership renewal campaign. According to media reports, Jamaat-e-Islami skipped the National Consensus Commission’s discussion with political parties on Tuesday as a form of protest against the outcome of the London meeting between the Chief Adviser and the BNP Acting Chairman. The party reportedly informed the commission that it felt ignored after Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman met in London on June 13 and issued a joint statement agreeing to hold the election in February next year. Rizvi hopes interim govt will quickly fulfill election promises Fakhrul said when a debate was going on and a rift was developing between the interim government and political parties over an unfavourable election timeline in April next year, Tarique Rahman met Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus in London on 13 June at the latter’s invitation. He described the meeting as a rare and historic event, as it paved the way for a peaceful democratic transition. At the meeting, Fakhrul said both Prof Yunus and Tarique moved away from their earlier stances on the election schedule and agreed to hold the polls in February, a week before Ramadan.  “This is what we call statesmanship. Without fuelling division or conflict, these two leaders have created an opportunity for a peaceful election,” he said. “Do we like this? If you do, give a round of applause for Tarique Rahman and Prof Yunus,” he said, prompting claps from party leaders and workers. The BNP Secretary General said their party will not engage in vote rigging or break the law like the Awami League. He said BNP will seek votes with humbleness to come to power, rather than by depriving people of their rights. “In the last 15 years, whatever the Awami League has done, we will not follow that path. We must learn from the consequences they have faced. Our aim is to protect everyone’s rights.” Reached a national consensus to hold general election in Feb: Khosru Speaking about the membership collection programme, Fakhrul warned that no Awami League members should be allowed to enter BNP.  “It is proven that no one from the Awami League is good. They only work for their own interests, not for others. So, no one of them should be included in our party.” He urged party leaders to include people with a clean image and good reputation in BNP. Highlighting BNP’s commitment to the people and the country, Fakhrul said solving the unemployment crisis would be their top priority if the party comes to power. “We will create jobs for one crore unemployed people. The government will be run by giving priority to the youth.” He also criticised those involved in extortion, calling them professional extortionists. “Such people always try to join the ruling party by any means. BNP will not give place to any extortionist.” Referring to the 1991 election, Fakhrul said, “Back then, there was no guarantee of how many seats BNP would win. But the party had a good image, and that’s why it won the majority and formed the government.” He urged party leaders and workers to gain public trust through good work in order to achieve success in the upcoming election.  

The National Consensus Commission resumed its Wednesday’s session under the second phase of dialogue with the country’s political parties, with Jamaat-e-Islami joining the discussions on the second day. The meeting began at 11:29 am at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital, with Commission’s Vice-Chairman Professor Ali Riaz in the chair. Jamaat, which did not participate in Tuesday’s session, was represented today by its central assistant secretary generals Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan and AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, and central executive council member Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher. When asked why the party skipped the first day, Rafiqul Islam Khan told reporters, “I’ll explain the reason later -- not now.” Wednesday’s agenda includes concluding unfinished discussions from previous rounds, alongside talks on the formation of a proposed National Constitutional Council (NCC) and the procedure for the presidential election. Consensus Commission biased towards particular party, allege NCP, Nur The Commission said the dialogue will continue on Thursday (June 19). Along with BNP, other political parties attending today’s session include the Nationalist Citizen Party (NCP), Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Nagorik Oikya, Gono Adhikar Parishad and Gonosonghoti Andolon. The ongoing talks are aimed at building broader political consensus on key constitutional and electoral issues.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s central Nayeb-e-Ameer Prof Mujibur Rahman on Tuesday said students will no longer allow the repeat of past events, which is why his party is now demanding justice first, followed by reforms and then elections. Speaking at a rally organised by Jamaat’s Bagatipara upazila unit in Natore, he said, “In the past, oppressive regimes claimed, ‘it is my vote, I will give it to whoever I want.’ But in reality, they acted as if, ‘I will not cast mine only, will cast yours, too.’ People and students no longer want such elections. They won’t let it happen again. That’s why we are saying, justice first, then reforms and then elections.” During previous governments, he said, people witnessed how the Awami League-led government made a mockery of democracy in the name of elections. The Jamaat leader said MPs were elected without a vote in 2014 and in 2018, voting was completed the night before the election day while in the 2024 elections, the general public didn’t even show up at polling stations. Mujibur said voters were not needed, in some cases, candidates’ relatives cast votes on behalf of others. “Not only that, in the 2024 elections, candidates were hard to find. They (Awami League) staged the election using dummy candidates.” Nation does not want another ‘questionable election’: Jamaat Ameer Prof Mujibur also said Jamaat-e-Islami’s leadership must continue their work with greater dedication and sacrifice for the welfare of religion and the country. He affirmed the party’s commitment to fighting for fair elections. Referring to last year’s student protest, he said in the 2024 movement, they heard students chanting ‘We want justice.’ Similarly, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, are working to establish justice, he added. Nayeb-e-Ameer Mujibur further said, “Over the past 54 years, from 1971 to 2024, we have seen ideologies like nationalism, socialism and capitalism. None of these brought peace. We believe that only the laws of the Quran can ensure peace in both this life and the hereafter.” The event was also addressed by Jamaat’s Natore district Nayeb-e-Ameer Prof Md Yunus Ali, District Secretary Prof Md Sadequl Rahman, Assistant Secretary Md Atiqul Islam Russel and the party’s nominated candidate for Natore-1 (Lalpur–Bagatipara) constituency Maulana Md Abul Kalam Azad.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is set to regain its registration along with its traditional election symbol, the Scales (Dāripalla), very soon, a member of the Election Commission said on Wednesday. “Jamaat-e-Islami will soon get back its registration. We are taking necessary steps. The Election Commission has made a decision in this regard,” Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah told reporters following a meeting at the Election Commission Secretariat in Agargaon. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin presided over the meeting, which was attended by other commissioners and senior officials. Speaking about the party’s electoral symbol, Commissioner Sanaullah said the EC has taken a policy decision to return the scales symbol to Jamaat-e-Islami. Jamaat wants local govt elections too under caretaker govt: Taher While taking the decision to return ‘Scales’ symbol to Jamaat, the EC considered the Appellate Division’s directive to return the status quo ante, the registration notification issued on November 05, 2008 that awarded registration with ‘Scales’ symbol to Jamaat, the Article 90F (1) (b) of Representation of People Order (RPO) 1972 that states the symbols so allotted shall be kept reserved for it, unless it indicates its preference for any other prescribed symbol available, and other court’s directives and observations. “Considering everything, the Election Commission has taken a decision in principle to give back its previous ‘Scales’ symbol to Jamaat-e-Islami. That means they will get back their party’s registration and symbol,” he said. The Election Commissioner, however, said it will take time to get back the electoral symbol ‘Scales’ by completing the official process. He said the EC has taken a decision to increase the number of enlisted electoral symbols for the parliamentary election to 100 from the existing 69. On June 1 last, the Appellate Division set aside the High Court verdict that had declared the registration of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami as a political party illegal in 2013.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer  Shafiqur Rahman on Tuesday sought unconditional forgiveness from those who have been hurt or harmed by actions or words of any members of the party. Speaking at a press conference held at the Institution of Diploma Engineers in Dhaka, the Jamaat chief said, “No one is above mistakes, and as a political party, we do not claim to be exempt from errors. We seek unconditional forgiveness from anyone who has suffered or been hurt by any of our leaders or activists. Please forgive us.” He said the party tried to stand by the families of those who were martyred or injured during recent uprising. “Due to many limitations, we could not fulfil all of our responsibilities. If we have caused anyone pain through our words or actions, in any way, at any time, we ask for forgiveness,” he added. The Jamaat ameer also said that the party had long awaited what he called a “just verdict,” referring to the Supreme Court ruling that acquitted Jamaat’s former acting secretary general ATM Azharul Islam of all charges. Jamaat Ameer alleges manipulated ‘judicial killings’ under Hasina regime According to Shafiqur, Azharul was initially handed the death penalty without proper adherence to either international or domestic laws. “At that time, the Constitution was ignored, laws held no significance. The court operated at the whim of those who pulled the strings. Their wishes, whether lawful or unlawful, became the law,” he claimed. The press conference was convened to share Jamaat’s official reaction to the Supreme Court's verdict that acquitted Azharul Islam. The Jamaat chief further claimed that the party had endured severe repression during the rule of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. “Eleven top leaders of our party were victims of judicial killings in fabricated, stage-managed cases, based on false testimonies,” he alleged. Senior Jamaat leaders present at the press conference included Nayeb-e-Ameer Mujibur Rahman, Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, acting Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum and others from the party.

After BNP, a delegation of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami held talks with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Saturday evening to discuss issues related to the next national election and reforms. Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman and Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher joined the meeting held at the Chief Adviser’s official residence state guesthouse Jamuna. Speaking after the meeting, the Jamaat ameer said they hoped a ‘meaningful election with a level playing field’ would be held. National Consensus Commission Vice-chairman Professor Ali Riaz and Adviser Asif Mahmud were also present at the meeting to accompany the Chief Adviser. Earlier, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) demanded a specific election roadmap to hold the national election by December this year, stressing that they discussed three specific issues - reform efforts, justice process and election. BNP delegation meets Prof Yunus, reiterates demand for election by Dec   BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain briefed reporters after their meeting with the Chief Adviser at the same venue. A four-member BNP delegation joined the meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Yunus as part of efforts to defuse mounting political tension in the country. The other members of the delegation included Standing Committee Members Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Salahuddin Ahmed.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Sunday proposed that no person should simultaneously hold the posts of prime minister and party chief for the sake of the decentralisation of power. “We have proposed that a person cannot be both the prime minister and the head of a political party at the same time,” said Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer  Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher during the lunch break of his party’s 2nd day dialogue with the National Consensus Commission. An 11-member Jamaat delegation, led by Taher, took part in the dialogue presided over by Consensus Commission Vice Chairman Prof Ali Riaz at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Taher said the proposal was aimed at decentralising power and ensuring the balance of power. “There will be a prime minister who will not be the party chief, or a party chief who will not be the Prime Minister,” he said. Noting this practice is seen in many countries in the world, he referred to the system even in neighbouring country- India In India when Sonia Gandhi was the Congress president, Manmohan Singh served as the prime minister. Even now, Narendra Modi is the prime minister, but he is not the party president, he said.  He said the current US President is also not the head of the Republican Party. “So, this balance of power is maintained across the world,” he added. Jamaat urges govt to expedite reforms, hold national election promptly The Jamaat leader also proposed limiting the tenure of a prime minister to two terms in a lifetime. “A person cannot be prime minister more than twice. That means no person can hold the post of Prime Minister for more than 10 years in his or her entire life,” he said. A taskforce proposed to check corruption in ACC’s activities” Mentioning that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) engages in corruption in many cases, Taher said his party proposed a taskforce to act a watchdog over the ACC’s activities and bring corrupt persons under punishment. “This task force will investigate corruption, identify irregularities and ensure primary punishment against the accused—such as suspension or show-cause notices in the case of government employees,” he said. He said the National Consensus Commission agreed with the idea and assured that they would include a recommendation on this issue. To hold election commissioners accountable for irregularities: Jamaat proposed legal amendments to bring the Election Commission under stricter accountability, including provisions for punishing retired election commissioners for past irregularities. “For the last 15 years, the Election Commission has not or could not carry out its responsibility of holding fair elections. One of the main reasons for this is that the existing laws don’t have much punitive provisions for the mistakes and errors of the Election Commissioners in our country,” said Taher. He said they proposed empowering the Supreme Judicial Council to investigate the irregularities and ensure punitive action against commissioners during their tenure and even after their retirement. “We’ve proposed that laws be amended to bring them under accountability and that they be brought under punishment even after they retire from the Election Commission,” he added. Regarding the proposed National Constitutional Council (NCC), Jamaat expressed its support in principle but suggested changes in formation process. The party asked not to include the President and the Chief Justice in the Council, said Taher.  “In times of crisis, people may seek redress from either the President or the Chief Justice. So, we’ve suggested keeping their names outside the council,” he said. Earlier on April 26, Jamaat-e-Islami participated in the dialogue with the Consensus Commission for the first day. During the first day's talks, Jamaat agreed to the proposals for the introduction of the proportional representation (PR) system, a bicameral parliament and the provision to prevent any individual from becoming Prime Minister more than twice. They discussed only the Constitution-related reform recommendations on the first day. On March 20 last, the Consensus Commission opened a series of talks with political parties to forge a national consensus on state reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government. The commission has already held talks with more than 30 political parties, including BNP and National Citizen Party (NCP). Formed on February 15, 2025, under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, the commission was tasked with shaping a unified national stance on critical reforms.

The Appellate Division on Wednesday set June 1 for delivering its judgment on  the appeal filed by Jamaat-e-Islami seeking restoration of its registration as a political party.  Ex-Jamaat leader Barrister Abdur Razzaq passes away A four-member bench of the Appellate Division led by Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed passed the order after hearing the law point arguments from both sides. Senior Advocate Ehsan Siddique and Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir stood for the petition. On October 22, 2024,  the Appellate Division revived a previously dismissed appeal by the Jamaat-e-Islami, seeking to regain its registration as a political party. On 1 August 2013, the High Court declared Jamaat's registration as a political party illegal following the disposal of a writ petition.  Jamaat backs proportional representation, bicameral parliament, 2-term limit for PM On December 7, 2018, the Election Commission issued a gazette notification cancelling Jamaat's registration. Jamaat-e-Islami later appealed challenging the High Court verdict. As Jamaat’s lead lawyer was absent during the appeal hearing, a six-member Appellate Division bench dismissed the appeal in November, 2023,  thereby upholding the High Court's ruling that declared Jamaat-e-Islami's registration as a political party invalid. Meanwhile, then Awami League government banned Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir on August 1, 2024. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification banning Jamaat, Islami Chhatra Shibir, and other affiliated organizations under Section 18(1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act. On August 28, the decision to ban Jamaat-e-Islami and its affiliated organisations was revoked, through another gazette notification .  Jamaat to fully support constructive, realistic reforms: Taher

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami wants a bicameral parliament in Bangladesh with five-year tenure, said its Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher on Saturday. “We've agreed on the bicameral parliament issue” he said at a press briefing during the lunch break of talks with the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Complex. He said there were proposals to reduce Parliament and Presidential tenures to four years from five years. “But we told them that it wouldn’t be right. The tenures should be of five years,” said Taher. A 10-member Jamaat delegation, led Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, participated in the discussion that began at 10:30am with Vice Chairman of the National Consensus Commission Prof Ali Riaz in the chair. Consensus Commission members Safar Raj Hossain, Justice Emdadul Haque, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar and Dr Iftekharuzzaman were present at the discussion moderated by Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haider. Jamaat to fully support constructive, realistic reforms: Taher Jamaat delegation members included its Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Porwar, assistant secretaries general Rafiqul Islam Khan, AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad and Ehsanul Mahbub Jubair, publicity and media affairs secretary Matiur Rahman Akand, Jamaat Dhaka South City unit Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul and Shishir Monir. On March 20 last, the National Consensus Commission opened its dialogues with political parties aiming to build a national consensus on the reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government. The commission has already held talks with 16 political parties, including BNP and National Citizen Party (NCP). The commission formed under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus aims to establish a unified stance on critical reforms.