NN Online:
Jamaat-e-Islami has threatened to sue the government and the National Consensus Commission for compensation if the July Charter is not granted legal recognition.
The warning came from the party’s deputy chief Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher during a lunch break in Thursday’s ongoing dialogue with the commission.
“We have made it clear — we won’t sign the July Charter without legal basis. It must be implemented within the tenure of this government. That can begin as early as [Friday],” he said.
He reiterated Jamaat’s demand for the adoption of the peer system for elections, citing “longstanding electoral irregularities in Bangladesh’s 54-year history” including partisan influence, rigging, fake and night-time polls.
Taher said the peer system is now practised across nearly 90 countries worldwide, including in Africa, Europe, America and Asia.
“It is a global reality, not a matter of rich or poor, black or white,” he added, noting that many countries adopt this system every year.
According to him, most political parties in Bangladesh were now in favour of the peer system and expected the commission to take a positive decision after the break.
“We’ve worked hard, you’ve covered it, but if none of it is implemented, what value will this process have? What value will the oath have if it leads nowhere? Implementation is key,” Taher said.
Taher brushed aside arguments from some parties, including the BNP, that the charter need not be legally binding.
“Just promises won’t do,” he said. “Without legal footing, this charter will become meaningless.
“That’s why we will file a compensation case against both the commission and the government if this is ignored.”
Referring to the rising number of objections submitted during the talks, he said: “In the past 23 days, we’ve seen more notes of dissent than we did in the previous 22 days combined.
“Still, that is part of a democratic process. Anyone can say no. But if the majority is in favour, that lends legitimacy.”
Legal endorsement of the reforms, Taher insisted, was entirely possible now.
“Those who say it’s not possible at this stage are misleading the nation. We demand legal foundation. Without it, there’s no meaning in signing the charter.”
He also clarified that Jamaat’s position was not merely about political gains, but structural reform.
