United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Monday has called upon its leaders, activists and people across the country to make Dhaka-Chattogram long march on September 5 a success as part of its campaign to implement the referendum verdict and build a discrimination-free Bangladesh. The call was made at a meeting of the party’s Long March Implementation Committee held at Jamaat’s central office in capital's Moghbazar. Govt to lose legitimacy if referendum verdict ignored, warns Ameer-e-Jamaat  According to the previously announced programme of the 11-party alliance on August 6, four long marches will be held across the country. As per the programme, the Dhaka-Chattogram long march will be held on Saturday, September 5, followed by Dhaka-Rangpur on Saturday, September 19, Dhaka-Khulna on Saturday, October 10, and Dhaka-Sylhet on Saturday, October 24. The Chattogram, Rangpur and Khulna long marches will be held by road, while the Sylhet long march will be held by rail. A grand rally will be held in Dhaka on November 14 following the completion of the long march programmes.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has urged party leaders and activists to remain highly cautious in their dealings and conduct, saying the party is now widely seen as a potential contender for state power. Speaking at a district, upazila and thana-level Ameer conference of the Rangpur-Dinajpur region held at Rangpur Model College auditorium on Friday afternoon, he said Jamaat-e-Islami was previously not considered a competitor for state power, but the perception has now changed. Well done Bangladesh cricket team, says Jamaat Ameer “In the past, no one thought Jamaat would be a rival for power. They only thought of it as an effective political party that would survive,” he said.

Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Wednesday greeted the nation on the eve of the holy month of Ramadan, calling on Muslims to embrace the values of mercy, forgiveness and salvation. In a message on his Facebook page, he said the blessed month of Ramadan has arrived once again, offering an opportunity for spiritual purification and self-restrain. He urged the country’s Muslim community to learn, uphold and practise the teachings of the Holy Qur’an, which was revealed during this sacred month and to work together to build a society based on justice and compassion. Refusal to take reform oath disrespects ‘July’: Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman expressed the hope that Ramadan would cleanse people of wrongdoings and moral lapses and inspire them to refrain from all forms of transgression. He also called upon people to extend support and kindness to the poor and underprivileged during the month of fasting. Seeking divine mercy for the country, he prayed for peace and stability and expressed the hope that the nation would move forward in line with the aspirations of its people. He conveyed his heartfelt greetings to Bangladeshis at home and abroad on the occasion of Ramadan.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has been named the Leader of the Opposition in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad. Newly elected MP from Cumilla-11 (Chouddagram) and Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher will serve as the deputy opposition leader. Convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) Nahid Islam has been appointed as the opposition chief whip, while Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan has been made opposition whip. Jamaat MPs-elect take oath as members of parliament, CRC The decisions were taken at a parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday after the oath-taking of MPs, party sources said. Assistant Secretary General and Chief of Central Publicity and Media Department of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, told UNB. A joint press release from the 11-party alliance is expected to be issued soon to formally announce the appointments. Earlier in the day, Jamaat MPs took oath around 12:30pm, followed by MPs from the National Citizen Party. Members of the 11-party alliance also took oath to the proposed Constitutional Reform Council alongside their parliamentary oath.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured 209 parliamentary seats, while Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami won 68, as the Election Commission disclosed the statistics of the unofficial election result of 297 constituencies on Friday afternoon. Besides, National Citizen Party-NCP settled victory in six constituencies, independent candidates in seven constituencies, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish in two, Islami Andolan Bangladesh in one, Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP (led by Andaleeve Rahman Partho) in one, Ganaodhikar Parishad in one, Ganasamhati Andolan in one and Khelafat Majlish in one parliamentary seat. 59.44 percent votes cast in national election:EC EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed revealed the statistics at a press briefing in the city’s Nirbachan Bhaban. He said the average voter turnout is 59.44 percent (297 constituencies) in the parliamentary election, while the average voter turnout is 60.26 percent (299 constituencies) in the referendum, The EC Secretary said the unofficial result of Chattogram-2 and 4 constituencies has been kept pending (following the court’s decision). The elections to Sherpur-3 was earlier cancelled following the death of a Jamaat candidate. About the referendum, he said 4,80,74,429 voters (68.05 percent of total casting votes) voted for ‘Yes’ option in the referendum ballots, while 2,25,65,627 voters (31.95 percent) for ‘No’ option to decide the fate of the implementation of the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Order 2025. All eyes on Tarique Rahman as BNP set to form government

BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Friday said that those raising allegations over Thursday’s  parliamentary elections must provide evidence to support their claims. Talking to journalists at the Election Commission, Nazrul Islam responded to allegations made by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami regarding alleged vote rigging and warnings of protests. “They may feel hurt and express themselves, but if anyone makes allegations against someone, it is their responsibility to prove them,” he said, adding that no allegations had been made directly against his party. Nazrul Islam, who serves as chairman of the BNP’s Election Steering Committee, said the party was observing victories in more than two-thirds of the constituencies. He said this indicated that the electorate had given BNP the mandate to govern for the next five years. Nazrul described the day as “a significant one in Bangladesh’s history” and said voters had once again entrusted the party with governing responsibilities. He also expressed gratitude to supporters and thanked the electorate. When asked about the possibility of forming a national government, Nazrul said there had been no discussions on the matter. He clarified that his visit to the Election Commission was not an official party briefing, adding that BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman would later deliver a formal statement on behalf of the party. Nazrul Islam said BNP’s coalition partners had also secured victories, which he said reflected public confidence in the alliance’s leadership and future plans. Comparing the latest election with previous polls, he said that earlier elections had seen significant loss of life, whereas this time there had been no reported casualties, describing it as an important development. He, however, acknowledged that voter turnout had not reached expected levels and expressed hope that participation would increase in future elections. Nazrul Islam thanked media organisations for their coverage, saying it had helped voters understand BNP’s plans and contributed to the electoral outcome.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Friday warned of launching a tough movement if people’s opinions and voting rights are manipulated through any conspiracy. Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Jubayer came up with the warning while talking to reporters on The Election  Commission premises early in the morning. Jubayer said if there is any attempt to ‘manipulate’ the people’s mandate and voting rights through conspiracies, Jamaat will announce programmes and if necessary, go for a hard movement. Referring to past elections, the Jamaat leader said the nation still carries the trauma of the 2014, 2018 and 2024 elections. “We have seen what happened in the elections of 2014, 2018 and 2024. Those who conducted those elections—where are they now?” he asked.  He said Jamaat would not expect the current Election Commission to face a similar fate. Responding to a question, Jubayer said Jamaat respects any opinion expressed by people in a dignified manner. “But if anyone conspires or plots using the people’s opinions, we will not accept it,” he said.  Various conspiracies surrounding elections had taken place in the past as well which the people of the country did not accept, he said. He stressed that Jamaat would continue to remain vigilant to ensure that the people’s mandate is respected and protected.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islam on Wednesday lodged a series of complaints with the Election Commission, alleging attacks, intimidation of its leaders and activists and vandalism of party offices across the country in an attempt to undermine the election-friendly environment ahead of Thursday’s  elections. “We sadly say that the nice environment we expect for the elections is repeatedly disrupted. Various types of barricades are being created (to intimidate our leaders, activists and supporters),” said Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair. Jamaat activist held with cash in Shariatpur; jailed for 2 years He made this remark after a delegation of Jamaat-led 11-party electoral alliance met Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin in the city’s Nirbachan Bhaban in the afternoon, just hours before polling begins at 7:30am on Thursday. Zubair warned that if attacks continue on polling day, Jamaat activists would resist what he described as ‘terrorist activities’ with public support. “We will build resistance against terrorists with the people. InshaAllah, there will be resistance in every centre (polling station). There will be mass resistance,” he said replying to a question. Zubair cited several incidents, including an attack on Jamaat leaders in Moulvibazar on Tuesday night, where their local leaders including upazila election management committee chief Abdur Rahman were allegedly assaulted while returning home. He claimed that their vehicles were vandalised and some leaders sustained serious injuries and were shifted to Sylhet for advanced treatment. Jamaat Ameer alleges vandalisation of polling booths in Dhaka-15 Similar incidents were also reported in Moulvibazar Sadar-Rajnagar constituency, Sirajganj, Faridpur, Netrokona, Manikganj, Barishal and Patuakhali, where Jamaat’s prospective polling agents and local leaders were allegedly attacked or threatened, he said. Zubair also alleged that in Sirajganj, the law enforcers made announcements through loudspeakers on Tuesday asking locals to hand over certain Jamaat leaders to them, despite no cases being filed against them and they are dignified persons in the society. He questioned the legality of such actions claiming that the announcement is to create fear among voters. The Jamaat leader questioned who or what is inciting such forces to create a fearful atmosphere among the people by making announcements through loudspeakers in this way, which is a serious obstacle to a fair election. Referring to Dhaka-15 constituency, Zubair claimed that 12 election camps of Jamaat Amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman were vandalised and set on fire overnight. “If such incidents can occur in the capital city and on major roads, questions naturally arise about the responsibility of the law enforcement agencies,” he said, urging the EC to immediately investigate and to take action. Zubair also raised concerns over an incident at Saidpur Airport, where a district-level Jamaat leader was allegedly harassed and mentally tortured by police after travelling from Dhaka with Tk 50 lakh. He said the elderly and ailing leader later fell sick and was admitted to Rangpur Medical College Hospital. Jamaat demanded his immediate release and warned of legal action against those responsible. The Jamaat leader urged the EC to install CCTV cameras inside and outside polling centres to ensure a peaceful, free and credible election.

An election observation delegation from the US-based International Republican Institute (IRI), currently in Bangladesh, on Wednesday paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer to exchange views on the upcoming election. The 19-member delegation is led by former US Congressman David Dreier. During the meeting, the delegation emphasised its commitment to observing a free, fair and credible electoral process, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami said in a Facebook post in the evening. The Jamaat Ameer reaffirmed his party’s full support for transparent voting, peaceful participation and respect for the will of the people. Jamaat Ameer alleges vandalisation of polling booths in Dhaka-15

Jamaat’s candidate for the Kushtia-3 (Sadar) constituency and popular Islamic preacher Mufti Amir Hamza has been fined Tk 10,000 for breaching the election code of conduct. Kushtia Joint district and Session Judge Md Abdul Hye fined Tk 5,000 each on two charges on Tuesday, in default to serve six-day in jail. Advocate Kazi Toufiqul Islam, a counsel of Amir Hamza cleared the fine on behalf of him. Rashed Ahmed, a resident of Shantidanga village in Kushtia brought two allegations against the Jamaat candidate for violating election code of conduct. During the court proceedings, it appeared that the banner of Amir Hamza displayed at the Mojompur gate did not mention the name and address of the printing company or the date of printing. IU Chhatra Dal leader files case against Mufti Amir Hamza over defamatory remarks