NN Online:
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has emphasized the need to hold local government elections before the national polls to ease public suffering and assess the Election Commission’s (EC) preparedness.
Speaking at a day-long Rukon Training Camp organized by Sylhet city Jamaat on Friday, Dr Rahman said, “While we support holding the next national election as per the interim government’s timeline and after necessary reforms, local elections must come first to test the EC’s capacity.”
He noted that the lack of elected representatives at the local level has disrupted public services and increased dependency on bureaucratic control, worsening citizens’ day-to-day challenges.
Addressing party activists, the Jamaat chief urged them to remain committed to Islamic values and accountability to Allah. Recalling the party’s struggle, he said Jamaat endured executions of top leaders and the loss of registration and electoral symbol, yet remained steadfast in its path. “This perseverance has brought us to the doorstep of victory,” he claimed.
He stressed that the sacrifices of youth during the July and August uprisings must be remembered and honored to inspire future resistance against injustice.
Dr Rahman also announced that Jamaat has selected candidates for all 300 parliamentary seats and is preparing for the next general election with the vision of establishing a welfare-based society.
Central leaders Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair and Maulana Habibur Rahman also spoke, urging members to strengthen grassroots efforts and win public confidence through integrity and service.
