Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami organized a protest rally in Dhaka, accusing various irregularities such as vote manipulation, ballot stuffing, seizure of polling stations, and assaults on opposition members during the Sherpur-3 parliamentary election and the Bogura-6 by-election. These elections took place on April 9, resulting in victories for BNP candidates in both constituencies.
The protest took place near the north entrance of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque following Juma prayers. The demonstration was followed by a march through Paltan intersection, concluding at Bijoynagar roundabout. In his address as the chief guest, Mia Golam Porwar, the party’s secretary general, denounced the election process in both areas as “farcical” and demanded the annulment of the outcomes.
Porwar criticized the widespread vote rigging, occupation of polling stations, ballot stuffing, and attacks on opposition figures during the recent elections. He accused the chief election commissioner of disregarding media reports highlighting these irregularities and defending the fairness of the polls, which he deemed a national embarrassment.
Pointing to the referendum, the Jamaat leader expressed disappointment in the BNP’s post-election actions, highlighting their failure to honor their pre-election pledge to uphold the referendum results. He condemned this as a betrayal to the nation and a dishonor to the sacrifices of martyrs.
Porwar warned that the BNP’s dismissal of the referendum outcomes signaled a move towards authoritarianism, urging government officials to acknowledge the will of the majority. He cautioned that clinging to power through deception and opposition to the people’s wishes would not be sustainable, emphasizing the need for the BNP to address the ongoing political turmoil to maintain authority.
The rally was chaired by Mohammad Selim Uddin, a member of Jamaat’s central executive council and the leader of the Dhaka North city unit.
