Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has renewed calls for equal electoral conditions, warning that any national election conducted without a level playing field will be rejected.
Speaking in Dhaka on Monday, party Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said doubts remain over the government’s intentions and the state of election preparedness.
“People still have doubts about the government’s role,” Parwar told reporters at Suhrawardy Udyan, where the party is planning a national rally on July 19. “That’s why I say there is no level playing field. We cannot accept an election under these circumstances.”
Election Readiness With Conditions
Parwar stated that Jamaat is ready to join elections whenever dates are declared, but the process must be properly managed.
“Jamaat has never spoken of postponing or advancing the election since August 5. We said Jamaat is prepared for the election whenever the government declares it. But no election will be allowed to take place in a careless or haphazard manner,” he said.
He also warned that the current instability could lead to disruptions at polling centers. He suggested there may be attempts to occupy booths or tamper with ballots if law enforcement is not strengthened.
“The law and order situation must improve to ensure a fair, neutral, acceptable, and participatory election,” Parwar added. He highlighted the need to ensure voters can safely head home after voting.
Party Gears Up for July 19 Rally
The party’s Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim echoed Parwar’s position during a separate preparatory meeting in Moghbazar.
He called on members and supporters to treat the July 19 rally as a priority and get fully organized.
According to Halim, the event will address a range of political and social demands. These include justice for incidents labeled as genocide, implementation of the “July Charter,” and rehabilitation for families impacted during past political crackdowns.
He also stated the party’s continued support for systemic reforms such as a proportional representation model for national elections and voting rights for expatriates.
Call for Broader Mobilization
With the rally coming up, Halim pressed for strong local mobilization and asked party workers to keep up the momentum.
According to him, the path forward relies heavily on outreach, community organizing, and staying connected through strong communication.
With less than two weeks until the rally, Jamaat’s leadership appears focused on combining electoral pressure with public demonstration. Whether this will shift the political climate remains uncertain, but the party’s message is direct: no meaningful vote can occur without genuine electoral balance.
