Jamaat expresses concerns to EU envoys over fair election

Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed concerns to representatives of the European Union (EU) over whether the upcoming national parliamentary election will be free and fair, alleging bias by law enforcement agencies and the administration in favour of a particular political party.

The concerns were raised during a meeting between Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and a delegation of the EU External Action Service at the party chief’s residence in the capital’s Bashundhara Residential Area on Wednesday (January 7).

The EU delegation was led by Paola Pampaloni, director for Asia and the Pacific at the EU External Action Service. The delegation also included EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller and Deputy Head for South Asia Monika Bylaitė.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said the discussions covered issues including the deployment of international election observers, the ongoing political situation, and the Rohingya crisis. He said a transparent, inclusive and credible election was essential to overcoming the country’s political crisis, warning that failure to ensure such a process could further deepen the crisis.

Alleging recent bias in the role of the government, law enforcement agencies and the administration, Taher said the situation had raised fears of a repeat of past “engineered elections.” Jamaat believes such an election would be detrimental to the country, he added.

On the issue of a level playing field, Taher said while security for political leaders may be necessary, the manner in which it is being provided is undermining electoral balance. He argued that if special security is granted to one leader, the same must be ensured for major rivals—something that is not happening in practice.

Taher said the EU representatives informed them of their decision to send election observers, a move Jamaat has welcomed. He also said the party conveyed that, if it comes to power, it would form a collective government and work with domestic and international stakeholders to address the Rohingya crisis, adding that the EU had assured cooperation on the issue.

Meanwhile, Taher dismissed reports claiming that Jamaat was unwilling to concede more than 10 seats to the NCP, describing them as “imaginary” and without factual basis. He said Jamaat maintains ties with several political parties and would have no difficulty deciding leadership issues if it comes to power.

Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahboob Zubair and central leader Shishir Monir were also present at the briefing.