Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Sunday accused the Election Commission of failing to exercise its constitutional powers to ensure a fair election in the face of political pressure ahead of the October 29 by-election to Thakurgaon-1 constituency.

“The commission is helpless under political pressure,” he said at a press conference after a Jamaat delegation met the commission at the Nirbachan Bhaban, submitting nine written complaints and placing three demands over alleged electoral irregularities.

He said the commission's response did not fully reassure the delegation, although the party remained hopeful and intended to contest the by-election.

He alleged that local administration officials were favouring BNP candidate Mirza Faisal Amin, while complaints over election code violations and attacks on Jamaat activists were not being properly addressed.

The Jamaat leader demanded the removal of Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khairul Islam, accusing him of acting in favour of the BNP candidate, including through alleged campaign-related Facebook posts and meetings with the candidate.

He also alleged that Jamaat activists, including women, had been assaulted and that Hindu voters were being threatened over their perceived support for Jamaat candidate Delwar Hossain.

He further accused the BNP candidate's campaign of violating the election code by holding a meeting inside a mosque, using coloured campaign symbols; operating loudspeakers before the permitted time and organising free medical camps for voters. The party submitted photographs and other materials in support of its complaints, he said.

Questioning the neutrality of the police, he argued that deploying large numbers of law enforcement personnel would not guarantee a credible election if they could not resist political pressure. 

He urged the commission to deploy the army alongside police to ensure voter security and a fair polling environment.

The party's three demands include an investigation into the allegations and legal action against those responsible, ensuring voter security, and deploying the army alongside police as necessary.

The Jamaat leader also warned the authorities against repeating the circumstances of the controversial 1994 Magura by-election, which fuelled a broader political movement for a caretaker government system.

Despite expressing concerns over the electoral environment, he said Jamaat had not decided to withdraw from the race and remained committed to contesting the by-election.