Eight like-minded political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolon, on Sunday urged citizens to vote ‘Yes’ in the upcoming referendum, expressing concern over public confusion after the government announced a national parliamentary election and a referendum on the same day.
The parties, now united in a joint movement for five-point reform, called on the government to resolve the uncertainty and ensure a smooth process.
Speaking at a press conference at Al-Falah Auditorium in Moghbazar, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, representing the eight-party alliance, said, “The date of the referendum should have been announced before the national election to give legal validity to the proposed reforms. The failure to do so has created confusion, and it is the government’s responsibility to address this.”
He said the top leaders of all eight parties had agreed to support the reforms in the referendum and would actively encourage a ‘Yes’ vote.
Earlier, a joint meeting of the top leaders of the eight parties was held at the same venue, chaired by Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman. Participants included leaders from Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis, Bangladesh Nizam-e-Islam Party, National Democratic Party (JAGPA), Bangladesh Development Party and Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan.
The leaders discussed the political situation and strategies to implement the July National Charter reforms through the referendum.
Parwar emphasised the need to appoint neutral officials at all administrative levels, including Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police, to ensure free and fair elections.
“If loyalists of a particular party are appointed in the administration, conducting a neutral election will be impossible,” he said.
He also claimed that public sentiment strongly favours a ‘Yes’ vote, while those campaigning for ‘No’ oppose both the reforms and a neutral electoral process.
On the continuation of the eight-party movement, Parwar said, “The eight-party liaison committee is responsible for our programme. They will convene and make announcements. Not all our demands have been met, so our movement will continue.”
