8-party backs ‘Yes’ vote in referendum: Golam Porwar
Staff Reporter:
Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar announced on Sunday that an eight-party political alliance, including his own party, will vote in favor of the upcoming referendum designed to provide a legal basis for the July Charter.
Speaking at a joint press conference at the Al Falah Auditorium near Jamaat’s central office in Moghbazar, Golam Porwar said the alliance will also work to encourage the public to vote ‘yes.’
The press briefing followed a senior leadership meeting of the coalition held earlier in the day at the same venue. Golam Porwar reiterated that the alliance has supported reforms from the outset, but that one particular party has opposed several crucial and fundamental measures. “For this reason, we are urging the nation to vote ‘yes’ in the referendum,” he said.
Golam Porwar also called on the government to clearly communicate the reforms being proposed by publishing information on the Election Commission’s website, distributing leaflets, and
sharing details through national media channels. Responding to a question about opposition campaigns, he said that online activists aligned with one party have already begun promoting a ‘no’ vote. “The entire nation supports reforms. Those who oppose them will certainly be rejected by the public,” he asserted.
The secretary general confirmed that a liaison committee has been formed within the alliance, with responsibilities delegated by the senior leadership. The committee will determine future programmes after further discussions, he added. He stressed that the movement will continue as long as the alliance’s demands are not fully met.
Addressing remarks by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who criticized Jamaat in Chapainawabganj on Saturday for allegedly deceiving the public, Golam Porwar said, “Whatever he has said applies equally to him on behalf of our eight-party alliance. This is our request to him.”
Golam Porwar further emphasized that the alliance’s movement would not negatively affect the national election. “On the contrary, our efforts have helped bring important reform proposals to the referendum. The movement contributes to ensuring that the election is free, fair, and impartial,” he said.
The press conference also touched on the upcoming verdict from the International Crimes Tribunal, scheduled for Monday in the case against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who faces charges of crimes against humanity during the 2024 mass uprising. Golam Porwar confirmed that the alliance would be present on the streets as part of its ongoing programmes but stressed that they would not allow any acts of sabotage.
Also present at the press conference were Jamaat assistant secretaries general Abdul Halim and Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair; Yunus Ahmad, secretary general of Islami Andolan Bangladesh; Jalaluddin Ahmad, secretary general of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis; Musa Bin Izhar, secretary general of Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party; and other senior leaders of the eight-party alliance.