Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar on Monday said a level-playing field for the national election has not been ensured yet.
“They (Election Commission) could not confirm yet about the level-playing field of the elections. We’ve raised some specific evidence of the existing administrative situation (before the EC). If this situation continues, we will not accept it as a level-playing field,” he said while briefing reporters after a meeting with the Election Commission.
A six-member Jamaat delegation, led by its Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin and the four election commissioners at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital.
The Jamaat secretary general said they asked the Commission to take steps for ensuring the equal ground for all in the election.
“You (EC) have to take specific steps. After all, all jurisdictions will fall under the Election Commission after the declaration of schedule,” he said.
He said they also suggested the EC should reshuffle the administration again, if needed, for the sake of keeping the administration neutral.
“We told them (EC) that if we see that any official is blatantly violating his impartiality after the announcement of schedule, we will bring these issues to their notice,” he added.
About the recovery of illegal arms looted from police stations throughout the country after August 05, 2024, the Jamaat leader said they suggested strengthening further the ongoing drive to recover illegal arms.
“We’ve discussed the drive for arresting those having illegal arms so that they can’t disturb election or create panic among voters,” said Parwar.
The Jamaat also placed several other suggestions including installation of CCTV camera in every polling station, deployment of BGB and Army members to ensure security for polling stations and easing the ongoing registration process for expatriates to vote in the upcoming election.
He said the government, political parties and other stakeholders are committed to the nation for arrangement of election before the upcoming Ramadan within the announced election timeline.
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He said the people of the country are waiting for the democratic journey and a free, fair, acceptable and neutral national election.
“Time for schedule announcement is running out. We raised the issue to know the Election Commission’s clear announcement and specific decision in this regard,” said Golam Parwar.
The Commission told them the election schedule would be announced by this week and specific decision was taken in this regard, he said.
In reply to a question if they see any possibility of delaying the election, Parwar said they currently have no such apprehension.
“We are not feeling any concern now. They have given us their word and shared their decision. We want to place our trust in that and believe they will adhere to that word,” he said.
Five other Jamaat delegation members are ATM Masum, AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, Matiur Rahman Akanda, Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair and Jashim Uddin Sarker.