The upcoming national election will be free, fair and acceptable only when it is held based on the framework of the July Charter, Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad said on Sunday.

Speaking at a meeting of the National Consensus Commission at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital, the Jamaat leader outlined two possible ways to implement the charter: either through a Provisional Constitutional Order or by holding a referendum.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus attended the meeting and focused on the charter’s implementation process.

"If political parties fail to reach an agreement, people should decide through a referendum," Azad said.

The Jamaat leader said the government had made reform its top priority and had promised to correct past errors and deviations that had damaged the state system.

He added that the government's first commitment was to lead the country towards a new path, free from past failures. The second promise was national reform, and the third was to hold the best election in Bangladesh’s history in a festive and inclusive atmosphere.

Azad said Jamaat-e-Islami wants to believe that a level playing field will be created, as promised by the Chief Adviser, ensuring a neutral and acceptable election.

He, however, expressed concern over the recent DUCSU and JUCSU elections, suggesting they sent a negative signal regarding the electoral environment and result announcements.

"We are worried that such influence in student elections might reflect on the national election as well," he mentioned.

Azad reiterated that the people’s expectations can only be fulfilled if the upcoming general election is conducted under a fair, impartial and credible administration.

Wishing for a smooth and successful conclusion to the national charter process, the Jamaat leader called for an extension of the Consensus Commission’s term and proposed that it be finalised under the leadership of Vice President Ali Riaz.