Jamaat urges Election Commission to hold local polls ahead of national election

Jamaat Urges EC to Hold Local Polls Under Interim Govt Before National Election

Jamaat-e-Islami on Tuesday called on the Election Commission (EC) to conduct local government elections under an interim government before the upcoming 13th national polls.

Following a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the Nirbachan Bhaban in Dhaka, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad said, “We want local government elections to be held before the national election — not just this time, but as a regular practice — under a non-partisan interim government, regardless of its form.”

The meeting came a day after the party regained its electoral symbol, the Daripalla (balance scale), through a court order. Azad said holding local elections under an interim administration would ensure greater neutrality and credibility.

Asked about Jamaat’s confidence in the current EC, he responded, “We are observing. When something is done right, we will acknowledge it. If there’s deviation, we’ll raise our voice. We hope the EC will act responsibly in the public interest.”

Jamaat also reiterated its demand for introducing a proportional representation system in national elections to ensure fairer outcomes. The party further recommended the EC explore postal and online voting options to allow participation of expatriate voters.

On the issue of registration, Azad claimed that Jamaat’s electoral rights had been unjustly revoked by the previous government and their recent restoration marked a significant legal precedent.

The Jamaat delegation also included Assistant Secretaries General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair and Jashim Uddin Sarker.