Jamaat Ameer urges voters to choose ‘Scales’ to end extortion

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer urges voters to back ‘Scales’ to end extortion

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called on voters to support the party’s symbol, ‘Scales’, to fulfill public aspirations, realize the “July vision,” and protect businesspeople from extortion.

Speaking at an election rally at Jashore Eidgah ground on Tuesday (27 January) morning, Dr. Rahman said that if Jamaat-e-Islami came to power, Jashore would be upgraded to a city corporation.

On the upcoming referendum, he claimed some quarters were privately unhappy with the process. He asserted that a ‘Yes’ vote would curb party-backed extortion, though many were hesitant to say so publicly.

“Eighteen crore people support the referendum,” he said, urging voters to vote ‘Yes’ in the first round on 12 February. “If ‘Yes’ loses, Bangladesh will lose. If ‘Yes’ wins, Bangladesh will win. A defeated ‘Yes’ vote would make forming a government pointless.”

Criticizing the BNP, Dr. Rahman alleged that the party, despite promising family cards for women, was involved in harassing them. “Mothers and sisters will not be safe under their rule,” he claimed.

He emphasized that Jamaat would not tolerate harassment or eve-teasing of women during campaigning and urged citizens to report any violations of the electoral code of conduct to the Election Commission. He added that persistent violations would face resistance wherever they occurred.

Addressing the Election Commission, Dr. Rahman called on it to perform its duties in the interest of the people, not to favor any political party.