Staff Reporter :
Mia Golam Parwar, Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, on Monday expressed doubts over the neutrality of the interim government regarding the upcoming national elections, saying the people still remain skeptical about its role.
“That’s why I say, there is no level playing field. We cannot accept an election under such circumstances,” he told reporters after inspecting Suhrawardy Udyan in the Capital Dhaka, where the party is scheduled to hold a national rally on July 19.
Responding to a question from journalists, Parwar dismissed speculation that Jamaat leaders had called for a postponement of the election. “We never said the election should be delayed or cancelled. Our Ameer has clearly stated-we want an election. But not just any election,” he said.
He elaborated that by “any election,” the party means a flawed process where the administration is biased, election engineering takes place, and polling centres are occupied through force. “We will not accept such an election, nor will we accept those who attempt to carry it out,” Porwar added.
The Jamaat leader extended an open call for participation in the upcoming national rally, urging citizens from all walks of life to join the event.
He said the rally would press for the creation of a level playing field, a truly neutral election process, the introduction of a proportional representation (PR) voting system, and justice for crimes against humanity. The party will also demand the declaration and implementation of a July Charter-a reform framework that Jamaat believes is critical for a fair political future.
Several other demands, including the holding of local government elections ahead of national polls, will be presented at the rally, Parwar said.
Among those accompanying Porwar during his visit to Suhrawardy Udyan were Jamaat’s Assistant Secretaries General Maulana Abdul Halim, Ehsanul Mahbub Jubayer, and Moyazzem Hossain Helal; publicity affairs secretary Matiur Rahman Akand; Dhaka South city unit Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul and secretary Shafiqul Islam Masud; Dhaka North unit secretary Rezaul Karim; and Islami Chhatra Shibir Secretary General Nurul Islam Saddam.
The July 19 gathering is expected to be Jamaat’s largest political mobilization since it began publicly reorganizing following the political upheaval that led to the collapse of the Awami League government in 2024.
