Sylhet, Nov 06 (V7N) — Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said the next national election should be held by February, warning that any delay could lead to nationwide unrest. He emphasized that before the polls, a national referendum must be held to provide legal legitimacy to the July Charter, adding that there is no scope for the Awami League to participate in the upcoming election. He reiterated that the proportional representation (PR) voting system remains Jamaat’s top demand, which he believes has broad public support.

Speaking to reporters at Sylhet Osmani International Airport’s VIP Lounge around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dr. Rahman stated that Jamaat will not form any electoral alliance but may reach an understanding with patriotic democratic forces engaged in the anti-fascist movement. He hinted that this possible understanding could bring significant changes to Jamaat’s announced list of parliamentary candidates.

The Jamaat chief arrived in Sylhet earlier that morning on a US-Bangla flight after returning from an overseas visit the previous day. Upon his arrival, he was received by local Jamaat leaders and activists. Following his briefing with journalists, he was escorted into the city in a massive motorcade of several thousand motorcycles. Hundreds of people lined both sides of the four-kilometer road, waving and welcoming him as he passed by.

During his two-day organizational tour, Dr. Rahman will meet party leaders and activists from all constituencies in Sylhet district through Thursday night.

Reflecting on the political landscape, Dr. Rahman said that no meaningful election had been held in the country for the past one and a half decades, but the upcoming polls would be “significant and participatory.” He expressed hope that the election would pave the way for a new, corruption-free Bangladesh.

Sharing his experiences from his recent overseas visit, he said Bangladeshi expatriates abroad expressed immense warmth and support for the nation’s democratic aspirations. “They have nothing to take from this nation—only the desire for respect,” he added, lamenting that the country has yet to recognize their vast contributions adequately.

Commenting on voter registration challenges, the Jamaat chief said many expatriate Bangladeshis were unable to complete the process before the Election Commission’s October 30 deadline. “We urged the EC to extend the deadline by at least 15 days so that millions of expatriates can be registered,” he said. Dr. Rahman pledged that under Jamaat’s future government, expatriates would have representation in proportion to their numbers, recognizing their vital role in sustaining the national economy.

Responding to a question about the Awami League’s participation in the polls, Dr. Rahman remarked, “The Awami League never wanted elections. For the past fifteen years, they have manipulated the process to cling to power while depriving millions of young citizens of their voting rights. The people will not accept such a party in any future election.”

He also discussed Sylhet’s infrastructural problems, particularly the deteriorating road connectivity with Dhaka. He said Jamaat’s delegation had already met with the government’s communications adviser to seek a prompt resolution. “We are in constant contact with senior officials about Sylhet’s development needs. We will never compromise on Sylhet’s rights,” he affirmed.

Among those present during his visit were Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair; Central Working Committee member and Sylhet City Ameer Muhammad Fakhrul Islam; Central Majlis-e-Shura member and Sylhet District Ameer Maulana Habibur Rahman; Sylhet regional team member Hafiz Maulana Abdul Hai Harun; Sylhet District Naib-e-Ameer and candidate for Sylhet-5 Maulana Anwar Hossain Khan; Sylhet Metropolitan Naib-e-Ameer Dr. Nurul Islam Babul; District Secretary and former Jaintapur Upazila Chairman Muhammad Zainal Abedin; Metropolitan Secretary and Habiganj-1 candidate Muhammad Shahjahan Ali; Sylhet-3 candidate and former South Surma Upazila Chairman Maulana Lokman Ahmed; Sunamganj-5 candidate Sheikh Maulana Abdus Salam Al Madani; and several other senior Jamaat and Islami Chhatra Shibir leaders, including Shahjalal University unit president Tarek Monowar.

Dr. Rahman concluded by saying that the party’s organizational strength in Sylhet is growing and that the coming election will mark a new phase in Bangladesh’s democratic journey, driven by patriotic forces seeking justice, transparency, and national unity.

END/RIM/SMA/