The Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has stated that national elections should be held only after political parties reach a consensus on necessary reforms.
Following a meeting with the National Consensus Commission, led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, at the Foreign Service Academy at Bailey Road in Dhaka on Saturday, Jamaat’s central Nayeb-e-Ameer, Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, conveyed this stance.
Asked whether Jamaat had proposed any election-related agenda, he responded, “We have stated that elections should be held as soon as consensus is reached on the required reforms. The Chief Adviser has mentioned that national elections will be held by December, and we are observing how the process unfolds.”
Taher also noted that all political parties have met with the interim government's Chief Adviser and the National Consensus Commission members.
He added that separate discussions would take place with different parties and stakeholders regarding the implementation of reforms.
BNP Insists on National Elections Before Local Polls
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir emphasized that national elections must be held before local government elections.
Addressing journalists after the political dialogue, he said, “The Chief Adviser and the National Consensus Commission held their first meeting with political parties. He discussed the necessity of reforms and urged parties to review the reports submitted by various commissions. The parties will engage in discussions with the commissions to reach a consensus.”
He further added, “We hope that once a minimum level of consensus is reached on reforms, national elections will be held swiftly. That is our expectation.”
Regarding the discussions, Fakhrul described the meeting as an introductory session where parties presented their opinions but no in-depth or constructive discussions took place.
National Civic Committee Warns Against Interference in AL Trials
Sarjis Alam, the chief organizer of the National Civic Committee, warned against any interference in trials related to the current political crisis.
In a press briefing after the meeting, he said, “If anyone tries to interfere, the National Civic Committee and the anti-discrimination movement will launch a united protest.”
He also criticized past political leaders for escaping accountability, saying, “One of the problems in our country is that leaders often go scot-free, just like the murderer Hasina. Those who participated in this uprising should know that Hasina and her associates will not spare them. We do not want to see any direct or indirect negotiations in justice matters.”
Call for a New Constitution
National Civic Committee Convener Nasiruddin Patwary called for the drafting of a new constitution, arguing that the 1972 constitution does not support multiparty democracy.
“Bangladesh’s peace, stability, and unity are deteriorating. The country’s future lies in a new constitution drafted through a Constituent Assembly,” he asserted.
He further stated that the Constituent Assembly, national elections, and reforms should proceed simultaneously to ensure comprehensive change.
Demand to Ban Awami League
Hasnat Abdullah, coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, called upon the government to take legal steps to ban the Awami League.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said, “We have demanded the cancellation of Awami League’s registration as the first step. This should be an administrative decision.”
He further claimed, “On August 5, student and civic movements concluded that Awami League is irrelevant in Bangladesh’s future politics. Today, all political parties reached a consensus that Awami League has become obsolete in national politics.”
He argued that, like other political entities that faded from history, Awami League is also no longer relevant.
