Law, order still not fit for fair polls, says Jamaat

The Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Abdullah Mohammad Taher has said the current law and order situation is still not conducive to a fair election.

On Sunday, he underscored the party’s call for a “level playing field” before voters go to the polls.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, Taher reiterated Jamaat’s demand for reforms and the appointment of skilled, neutral officials across the administration.

Taher, who raised objections to the proposed redrawing of his Cumilla-11 constituency, said Jamaat wants the boundaries left “unchanged”.

The Election Commission has published a draft for all 300 constituencies, with Sunday being the last day for objections.

He said Jamaat has no fundamental objection to holding the national election in the first half of February, as announced by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus.

“We welcome the February date. We never dictated the schedule but suggested what would be best for the nation,” Taher said, adding the party prefers polls before Ramadan.

He noted that the past three elections had left people doubting whether voting would be fair.

“The government must take multiple steps so people trust this election will be correct and they can vote,” he said.

He called for implementing the National Consensus Commission’s recommendations with legal backing before the polls, in line with the government’s earlier pledges for reform, justice and elections.

Taher said the CEC had assured him of a good election and Jamaat would maintain its trust, but would watch how the “semi-final” phase before polling was handled.

“If conditions are made fit for a neutral, healthy election, we will have no objection,” he said.