Jamaat raises concerns over possible delay in local government elections
DHAKA, Sept 16: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed concern that a planned move is underway to delay the local government elections by creating various administrative and other excuses.
The party also criticized the Election Commission for stepping back from its preliminary roadmap for Union Parishad elections following objections from the government.
Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar made the remarks at a press conference at the party’s central office in Moghbazar in the capital on Wednesday afternoon.
In a written statement, Porwar said the Election Commission on Sept 14 announced a preliminary plan to hold Union Parishad elections in seven phases, with the first phase scheduled for Nov 12 and the final phase on May 27.
However, within 24 hours, Local Government Minister Mir Shahe Alam publicly raised objections to the proposed schedule, he said.
Following the government’s objection, the EC described the roadmap as “fully preliminary” and said it would hold discussions with the concerned ministry, Porwar said.
“If the Election Commission has to bow down to political pressure, people’s confidence in their votes will be lost and the credibility of the electoral system will be seriously damaged,” he said.
Jamaat fears that a “planned trend” is being created to delay local government elections on various administrative and other grounds, Porwar said.
He warned that extending the tenure of unelected administrators in local government institutions would further delay people’s voting rights, local democracy and elected representation.
Jamaat questions EC recommendation on teachers
Porwar also criticized an EC recommendation to disqualify teachers of MPO-listed educational institutions from contesting local government elections.
He described the decision as unconstitutional and discriminatory.
He pointed out that many teachers from schools, colleges and madrasas contested and were elected as members of parliament in the recent national election.
“So, a serious discrimination is being created now,” he said.
Porwar also questioned the government’s current approach to local government elections.
He alleged that the government might be attempting to change existing laws and policies to create an opportunity for ruling-party-backed candidates to win local elections.
He further questioned whether such a move was intended to create a situation similar to what happened in Magura and push opposition parties towards boycotting the elections.
The Jamaat leader did not provide specific evidence to substantiate the allegations.
Eight-point demands
At the press conference, Jamaat placed an eight-point set of demands, including allowing the Election Commission to independently decide the election schedule and other related matters.
The party demanded that no ministry, minister or political authority interfere in the EC’s decisions.
It also called for a clear, final, time-bound and implementable roadmap for local government elections to be announced without delay.
Jamaat demanded equal opportunities for all candidates, a safe electoral environment and a level playing field.
Other demands include ensuring that the administration and law enforcement agencies perform their duties impartially and are not used for political purposes.
The party also called for a public and effective government commitment to protect the constitutional status and independence of the Election Commission.
Jamaat demanded that government-appointed administrators currently serving at different levels of local government be declared ineligible to contest the elections.
It also called for the EC to withdraw its recommendation declaring teachers of MPO-listed educational institutions ineligible to contest local government elections, arguing that the decision violates fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
Jamaat’s Central Publicity and Media Secretary Ehsanul Mahbub Zubayer moderated the press conference.
Assistant Secretaries General Rafiqul Islam Khan and AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, among other central leaders, were also present.
