Although Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami welcomed the announcement of upcoming national polls in February, the party demanded visible reforms in administration and justice for the victims and martyrs of the July Uprising first.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the chief election commissioner (CEC) in the capital's Agargaon area, Jamaat's Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said there would be no difference between the previous and current government if these issues were not addressed.
Saying that Jamaat was a pro-election party, he added, "It would be much more acceptable if the chief adviser announced the election timeline after consulting all major political parties. This would allow the parties to express their own thoughts about the process."
Highlighting that the country had seen three unfair elections in a row, he said people harboured mistrust for the electoral system.
Taher added that trust could be regained by bringing visibility to reforms in the existing administration and the progress of justice for offences committed by the Awami League in July.
Holding a free, fair and participatory election is key and the EC must play a key role for this, he added.
Asked about the criteria to determine visible progress in terms of reform and justice, he said legalising the July Charter and bringing those who committed offences in July to the book would be crucial.
Taher announced that they would continue their fight to establish the proportional representation (PR) system in both upper and lower houses of the parliament.
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on 5 August announced that the next general election would be held in February 2026.
"On behalf of the interim government, I will send a letter to the chief election commissioner, requesting that the Election Commission hold the national election before next Ramadan in February 2026," he said in a televised address to the nation marking one year of the July Uprising.
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