Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is ready to contest elections at any time, including December, if a level playing field is ensured, said party Ameer Shafiqur Rahman on Tuesday.
Speaking at a ‘Meet the Press’ event in Dhaka, he stressed that electoral fairness, not timing, is the key issue.
Shafiqur Rahman urged the Election Commission (EC) to prove its capacity through local elections before holding national polls.
He suggested elections be held by April 2026, preferably before Ramadan, due to adverse weather in May.
The Jamaat chief demanded voting rights for expatriates and criticized the EC’s inaction on the matter. He also expressed hope of regaining the party’s registration and election symbol, stating the party would not remain silent if denied.
Regarding the ruling party, he accused the Awami League of authoritarianism and stated that true democracy requires credible elections.
He reiterated Jamaat’s call for local elections first, arguing that only Union Parishads currently have elected representatives.
Senior leaders, including Nayeb-e-Ameer Mujibur Rahman and Acting Secretary General ATM Masum, were also present at the event.
