Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar has questioned whether free and fair local government elections can be held under the current Election Commission (EC).
Speaking at a press conference at the party’s central office on Wednesday, he alleged that the EC was operating according to the government’s instructions and could not function independently.
Parwar also alleged that the government was pushing opposition parties toward boycotting elections.
He further claimed that the government had appointed ruling party members as administrators in various places, making it difficult to ensure a level playing field and hold a neutral election.
At the briefing, Parwar presented eight demands concerning the local government elections.
He demanded adequate time and opportunities for all candidates, a safe environment and a level playing field, and warned that no excuse for delaying the election would be accepted.
The Jamaat leader said the administration and law enforcement agencies must not be used for any political interest. He also called on the government to ensure that the EC could perform its duties independently.
Parwar said Jamaat-e-Islami had raised several demands during meetings with the EC over the local government elections.
The demands included declaring administrators ineligible to contest the elections and allowing MPO-listed teachers and officials to participate.
Meanwhile, the EC has said preparations are underway to hold the local government elections.
According to a recent statement by the EC secretary, a schedule for holding the elections in several phases had been discussed initially.
Also present at the briefing were Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and parliamentary party whip Rafiqul Islam Khan, Dr Hamidur Rahman Azad and Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, among others.