11-party alliance to hold protest Monday over post-election violence
Staff Reporter :
The 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a protest march in the capital on Monday in response to alleged post-election violence across the country. The procession is scheduled to begin after Asr prayers from the north gate of Baitul Mukarram.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the alliance’s liaison committee on Saturday evening, according to sources present at the meeting.
Leaders expressed concern over incidents of violence reported in different parts of the country following the polls and resolved to hold the demonstration as a mark of protest.
Alliance leaders claimed that several houses, family members, and business establishments of Jamaat and 11-party alliance activists have come under attack since the election.
They described the incidents as “brutal activities” and demanded a fair investigation and accountability for those responsible. Jamaat also cited at least 21 incidents of violence on election night, in addition to attacks reported before the vote.
Leaders of the alliance alleged that activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which is set to form the government after securing a sweeping victory, were involved in the violence. BNP has not publicly responded to the specific allegations as of Saturday evening.
Earlier in the day, Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman issued a statement on Facebook addressing the Election Commission, the incoming government, BNP as a party, and law enforcement agencies.
In his post, he said the Jamaat-led alliance recognizes the election results and respects the constitutional process, noting that the BNP-led bloc secured a parliamentary majority.
However, he argued that the national vote reflects a more complex political reality. According to him, while BNP received around 54 percent of the vote, the Jamaat-led alliance secured nearly 40 percent, emerging as a significant national force.
He criticized the existing “first-past-the-post” electoral system, saying millions of votes do not receive proportional representation under the current situation.
Rahman stated that BNP won 53 seats by narrow margins ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand votes.
Some of these constituencies are now under formal review by the Election Commission, he said, adding that the alliance would pursue all lawful avenues to ensure transparency and integrity in the questioned seats.
He emphasized that this effort does not amount to rejecting the overall national result but is aimed at safeguarding the credibility of the electoral process.
Calling for transparency and accountability, Rahman urged the Election Commission to act with complete neutrality and law enforcement agencies to take firm action wherever allegations of violence, intimidation, or unlawful activities arise.
He also called on BNP’s leadership to demonstrate its commitment to constitutional governance and ensure that any party members found violating the law are held accountable without bias.
“This is a moment that requires maturity and national responsibility,” he wrote, urging all sides to remain calm and move forward with restraint, integrity, and respect for democratic institutions.