Jamaat welcomes election schedule announcement

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has welcomed the announcement of the schedule for the national election.

The reaction from the party came shortly after Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin unveiled the election timetable in a televised address on Thursday evening.

Ehsanul Mahbub Jubayer, the party’s central media and publicity wing chief, came up with the reaction at a press conference held at Jamaat’s Moghbazar central office.

Jubayer, who is also the party’s Assistant Secretary General, said the long-awaited announcement had eased concerns about whether the election would be held.

“There were uncertainties over the polls, but the announcement of the schedule has reassured us,” he told reporters.

Calling on the Election Commission to ensure a fair electoral process, Jubayer said establishing a level-playing field for all political parties must now be the Commission’s top priority. “Without this, there is no scope for making the election meaningful,” he remarked.

He expressed dissatisfaction over previous electoral processes, saying, “In the past, although assurances were given ahead of elections, fairness could not be ensured. We hope this trend will change in the upcoming polls.”

According to the schedule announced by the CEC, voting for the 13th parliamentary election will be held on February 12, alongside a national referendum. The balloting will continue from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm without any break.

Meanwhile, BNP welcomed the schedules for the long-awaited national election and the referendum on the Reform Charter, describing it as a ‘new chapter’ in Bangladesh’s political landscape.

“BNP has never had any fear regarding elections. We have always said that elections are the only way to overcome the crisis. Now that the formal journey on this path has begun, we welcome the announced schedule,” party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said.