Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has expressed his opinion that holding the next national election before the upcoming Ramadan would be preferable.
He conveyed this during a meeting with Nicole N Chulick, deputy assistant secretary of the US Department of State’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, currently visiting Bangladesh.
Speaking to the press following the meeting on Wednesday, Shafiqur Rahman said: “They inquired about the potential timing of the election. We informed them that the chief adviser of the interim government has indicated that elections will be held either by December this year or June next year. We hope the election takes place within this timeframe. However, conducting the polls before Ramadan would be ideal, as June coincides with the monsoon season, which may bring storms and natural disruptions, increasing the risk of delays.”
Shafiqur Rahman noted that the discussion with the US delegation was open and candid.
He said: “They sought to understand the current political landscape of Bangladesh and asked about the election timeline and process. They were also interested in the nature of the reforms being sought by various parties, and what our position is in this regard. They inquired about our prospective economic and foreign policies should we assume governance in the future.”
He further added: “Regional issues were also discussed. They raised concerns regarding minority rights, women's rights, and labor rights. We engaged in detailed conversations on these matters.”
In addition, Shafiqur Rahman mentioned that they urged the US delegation to reconsider the 37% tariff currently imposed on Bangladesh.
Shafiqur said: “We requested them to relay our concerns to the Trump administration, as the country is currently at a critical juncture, facing significant challenges.”
