BNP, one of the largest political parties in the country, wants quick elections after minimal reforms. Same claim of Jamaat-e-Islami. The two parties are also preparing the field ahead of the 13th National Assembly elections.
Jamaat-e-Islami is making two types of preparations for the elections. They will nominate candidates for 300 seats and decide according to the situation after announcing the date.
Prospective candidates are now active in their respective constituencies. Leaders attend social and religious events along with public relations. Along with giving the message of unity and peace, he is also making various promises. This information has been found out on field level.
The Awami League government collapsed on August 5 in the face of a student uprising. Then on August 8 Dr. An interim government was formed with Muhammad Yunus as the chief adviser. After taking charge, the government has undertaken reforms in various areas of the state. Already, commissions have been formed on constitution, electoral system, police, judiciary, public administration, anti-corruption, health, media, labor rights, women's affairs and local government reform. The report of the commission is to be given within 90 days of the formation of the commission. In the meantime, various political parties including BNP and Jamaat are talking about elections. In a press conference organized at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital on Thursday, Environment, Forest and Climate Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan and Adviser Mahfuz Alam said that the government will announce the date of the upcoming parliamentary elections as soon as possible after the emergency reforms. But it will be decided after discussion with all political parties and stakeholders.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is also preparing the election field even though there is no clear guidance from the interim government. Apart from organizing the party, they are active in the field around the country around the election. It is known that their main goal is to create history in the next election. That is why the party is trying its best to create public opinion through humanitarian and social activities. Potential candidates are conducting various party and social activities in their respective areas. Officials of the party say that Jamaat has two types of preparations for the elections. First, Jamaat itself will field candidates in 300 seats. Secondly, when the election time comes, decisions will be made in the light of the prevailing situation. It is not possible to say whether they will participate in the elections alone or in a coalition.
In the context of the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government on August 5, Jamaat-e-Islami has returned to normal political activities after 16 years. It is known that at the moment the party is busy with domestic activities across the country. Party candidates are being introduced by announcing a single election in various meetings. The leaders say that as part of the preparations for the single election, there are many programs in the field all over the country. The names of the candidates are also being announced for the constituencies that can do well by participating in these programs. Regular meetings of the related committees are being held ahead of the elections. Necessary instructions are being given to the leaders in charge of the districts from the meeting. In the constituencies where candidates have not been selected, the committee is adding and removing new candidates in the candidate selection process.
Multiple sources of Jamaat-e-Islami said that the party's potential candidates for the 13th National Assembly elections have already been finalised. The process of selecting the list of candidates for the rest of the seats is going on. However, in the light of the prevailing situation during the elections, Jamaat-e-Islami is also making an effort to field candidates in alliance with Islamic parties.
When asked, Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami Hamidur Rahman Azad said, "We have boycotted the elections of 2014 and 2024, except these we have participated in all the elections. Our activities as an electoral party continue. There are preparations. The Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami clarified our statement that the minimum reforms are needed, we want these reforms to be done quickly. Election should be given as soon as possible.
Incidentally, BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami did not participate in the 12th parliamentary elections held under the Sheikh Hasina government in January this year. Earlier, the party contested the 2018 national elections twice. BNP and Jamaat also boycotted the 2014 elections.
