IAB places 19-point proposal and 15-point demand at its national council

Staff Reporter :
Islami Andolon Bangladesh (IAB) has demanded the resolution of the parliament ahead of the announcement of the election schedule for the general election and the formation of an election time national government with the representatives of the registered political parties.
During the national council held at the Suhrawardy Udyan on Monday, IAB placed a 10-point charter of demands and 19-point proposals aimed at repairing the State. IAB Amir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rejaul Karim was in the chair.
The demands also include deployment of Armed Forces after the announcement of election schedule and entrusting judicial power with the Forces during the day of election; cancellation of Electronic Voting Machines in election; creating level playing field for all political parties; cancellation of Digital Security Act; keeping the price hike at tolerable level; making the religious teaching compulsory; releasing religious leaders; allowing the political parties to hold rallies and meetings without restrain; and reforms of education system.
The IAB’s 19-point proposals include reformation of the Constitution and the public administration; elimination of corruptions and irregularities in finance, economy, industry, agriculture and energy sectors; protection of the interests of the farmers and consumers; building up a self-respectful and independent foreign policy; introduction of modern education system; ensuring a coordinated plan for the medical management; and formation of a national security council with representative of all parties to prevent vindictiveness in the political culture.
IAB also proposed taking action to cut unemployment, protection for the rights of all citizens including indigenous communities, and measures for protecting the dignity and interests of the expatriates.
The IAB council re-elected Muhammad Rejaul Karim as Amir and Mawlana Yunus Ahmad as Secretary General. The council announced the names of 11 presidium members, 73 executive council members and 22 advisory council members.
Drawing attention to various irregularities including looting of banks, Muhammad Rejaul Karim said, “The national resources are being siphoned off the country. The banks have been destroyed for looting. Some are buying cars spending crores of taka, while others are running after TCB trucks.”
About voting rights, he said, “The voting rights have been stripped off. It is now a crime to demand voting rights. The entire country has turned into a jail for black laws. It has become a routine work for shooting political persons. Political leaders and workers are victims of repression and enforced disappearance.”