Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar on Thursday said his party prefers holding local government elections before the general election, adding that no fair election can take place without reforming the state machinery."People want local governments to be functional, and we also support holding local government elections before the national polls," Parwar told reporters after a meeting with the Election Commission (EC) at Nirbachan Bhaban in Agargaon.He emphasised that Jamaat favours proportional representation, stating that it is essential for Bangladesh to make parliament effective. Additionally, the party urged the EC to facilitate expatriate voters in casting their ballots.Parwar also called for abolishing the requirement for political parties to register with the EC, asserting, "Everyone has the right to do politics."
A six-member Jamaat delegation met with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin and other election commissioners at the EC headquarters in Agargaon at 10:00am.
Following the meeting, Parwar said that discussions focused on ensuring free, fair, and participatory elections, as well as the capacity and limitations of the EC.
He said Jamaat submitted a 23-point demand, stressing that elections without reforms would not be credible. He added, "Jamaat is willing to allow time for these reforms to take place."
In response to a question, Parwar confirmed that Jamaat is preparing to contest all 300 parliamentary seats, with candidates already finalized.
Regarding the party’s pending registration case in court, he expressed hope for a favourable verdict that would restore Jamaat’s registration and its scale symbol.
On another issue, Parwar stated that Jamaat has responded to all UN communications.
Before the 11th Jatiya Sangsad elections, the KM Nurul Huda-led Election Commission cancelled Jamaat’s registration.
A gazette notification issued on October 28, 2018, and signed by then EC Secretary Md Helaluddin Ahmed, stated that Jamaat had been registered on November 4, 2008, under the Representation of the People Order, receiving registration number 14. However, in 2013, the High Court declared the party’s registration illegal and invalid, leading to its cancellation by the EC.
