Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Prof Mia Golam Parwar has reiterated his party's call for free and fair local government elections before the national election under the interim government.
The Jamaat leader voiced the party's demand while speaking as chief guest at a Jamaat workers’ conference organized in Rajbari on Friday.
He said if the government is sincere, the Election Commission can conduct such elections, urging the authorities to announce the election date within a reasonable timeframe needed for electoral system reforms.
To prevent chaos, violence, and bloodshed in elections, he demanded that those responsible for fascism, including Sheikh Hasina, be tried in the International Crimes Tribunal for crimes against humanity, before the national election.
He emphasized that three key tasks—justice, reforms, and local elections—must be completed before the national election.
Mia Golam Parwar said that for 16-17 years, Bangladesh went through a dark era where people had no voting rights and democracy was nonexistent.
He added that there was a conspiracy to erase Islamic values and the nation's identity.
The politician accused the judiciary of being politicized and corrupt and alleged that the country saw widespread looting, extortion, killings, and terrorism. "Innocent Islamic scholars, bearded men, and religious figures were arrested and imprisoned."
He recalled that their former leader, Motiur Rahman Nizami, along with Ali Ahsan Mujahid, Kamaruzzaman, Abdul Quader Molla, and Mir Quasem Ali, were executed under political motives. Other key leaders were imprisoned under false charges and left to die behind bars, he added.
Parwar said the people of Bangladesh could not vote in three consecutive elections, accusing Hasina of suppressing the people’s movement for voting rights.
He vowed that such rigged elections would never happen again.
Parwar said Hasina believed she would remain in power forever and had dreams for 2041 but had to flee to India with her sister Sheikh Rehana, due to the July uprising.
According to him, she returned to where she belonged and is now conspiring from there, releasing audio and video messages.
He said that those who sacrificed their lives for a new Bangladesh dreamed of a country without discrimination, where justice prevails, and where people have access to food, clothing, education, and healthcare.
He vowed to fulfil their vision by building a new Bangladesh.
He also mentioned that Dr Yunus, as the chief adviser of the interim government, is working towards necessary reforms before the national elections.
He claimed that the Jamaat-e-Islami has urged the interim government to complete reforms in all sectors and announce an election roadmap.
However, he alleged that both national and international conspiracies are trying to obstruct this process.
Parwar claimed that fugitive fascists and authoritarian forces are plotting to create instability in Bangladesh to prevent elections.
He also expressed concern that the ghosts of fascism still exist within the administration.
He argued that the plan was to hold elections under the spirit of the July Uprising, allowing the people to choose their leaders, but the government is facing obstacles.
The Jamaat leader said people are now openly expressing their trust in Jamaat-e-Islami, which, he claimed, has frustrated some political parties.
He alleged that these parties are now criticizing Jamaat in the same way the Awami League used to.
He emphasized that local elections must be held first because there are no representatives in city corporations, municipalities, or upazilas. "The lack of representation is hindering rural and local infrastructure development, increasing public suffering."