Jamaat prefers local polls over nat’l elections: Secy Gen

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami prioritises local body polls over the national election to "align with public sentiment", said the party's Secretary General, Prof Mia Golam Parwar.

Speaking to reporters after a two-hour meeting with the Election Commission at Nirbachan Bhaban on Thursday, he said that while Jamaat had no objection to the national election being held in December or its scheduling, necessary reforms must come first, reports UNB.

The party submitted a written proposal outlining key election reforms, emphasising their implementation before any polls.

The proposals include reinstating the proportional representation (PR) system, restoring Section 91 of the 'Representation of the People Act,' and relaxing the terms of the Political Party Registration Act.

Mia Parwar explained that reinstating Section 91 of the RPO would empower the Election Commission to partially or entirely annul an election, if necessary.

Regarding election preparedness, he said, Jamaat is capable of fielding candidates in all 300 constituencies nationwide.

Earlier, a Jamaat delegation, led by Mia Parwar, met the EC, which was chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and attended by four EC commissioners.

The Jamaat delegation included AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, Advocate Jasim Uddin Sarkar, SM Kamal Uddin and Yousuf Ali. Jamaat last met the Election Commission in December 2013.