Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Professor Mujibur Rahman on Saturday said that the people of Bangladesh desire elections that would be fair, transparent, and meaningful; not frivolous.
"People of Bangladesh want elections, but not any kind of frivolous election," he said while addressing a worker conference organized by the Kishoreganj district unit of Jamaat-e-Islami as the chief guest.
Mujibur Rahman said: "Those who disregard trial (for July killings) are pushing for elections without demanding necessary reforms.”
He added: “In 2014, an election was held without votes, while in 2018, votes were cast the night before election day and in 2024, they orchestrated a dummy election by voting amongst themselves.”
He further added: “The people of Bangladesh want elections, but they will not accept ones conducted in a frivolously manner."
He continued: "Political parties and their allies responsible for unjust killings must be held accountable. Justice must come first - only then reforms should take place, followed by a fair and transparent election."
Referring to previous elections, the Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer said: "I should have the right to vote for whoever I choose. But their slogan was-- your vote will also be given by me too. In this way, they have destroyed the electoral system."
He emphasized the need to revive the voting and electoral process, saying: "If elections are held under a dead democracy and a broken electoral system, those will not reflect the hopes and aspirations of the people.”
He added: “That is why we say - no elections before reform, no elections before trial."
The conference, held in an open field for the first time in two decades, drew over 100,000 activists and supporters of the Kishoreganj district Jamaat-e-Islami.
