Jamaat, allies to hold rallies in 7 divisional cities; demanding referendum before election

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, along with seven other political parties, on Wednesday, has reaffirmed its demand for a referendum before national elections and announced a series of rallies in divisional cities across the country.

The parties said they will organize rallies from November 30 to December 6, excluding Dhaka, to press for a referendum before the elections, creation of a level playing field, and other demands, UNB reports.

The announcement came after a liaison committee meeting of the eight parties at the central office of Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis in Paltan, Dhaka. The briefing was led by senior Naeb Amir of Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis, Maulana Yusuf Ashraf.

The eight parties participating in the movement include Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis, Khilafat Majlis, Nezame Islam Party, Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan, Bangladesh Development Party, and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party.

Under the announced schedule, rallies will be held in Rangpur on November 30, Rajshahi on December 1, Khulna on December 2, Barisal on December 3, Mymensingh on December 4, Sylhet on December 5, and Chattogram on December 6. Senior leaders from the eight parties will address each rally.

Maulana Yusuf Ashraf said the alliance continues to insist on holding the referendum on a separate day and will campaign for public support to vote “Yes.” He added that while some demands, including implementing the death sentence verdict in the case of crimes against humanity and the July Charter’s orders, have been partially met, other demands—such as prosecuting other perpetrators of the July killings, banning anti-democratic forces including the Jatiya Party, and ensuring a level playing field in elections—remain unmet.

Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami and liaison committee member Hamidur Rahman Azad, present at the briefing, emphasized that the alliance has not withdrawn its demands and urged the government to reconsider holding a referendum before the elections. He noted that their visit to the Election Commission earlier yielded no clear response, reflecting uncertainty about how the government plans to conduct both votes on the same day.

Since September 18, the eight-party alliance has been pursuing a joint movement with five key demands and previously carried out nationwide programs in six phases. This latest announcement marks the seventh phase of their campaign.