Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has accused the government of showing bias in appointing administrators to city corporations, district councils, and vice-chancellors at public universities. They criticized the process as disrupting democratic continuity.
The allegations were raised by Maulana Abdul Halim, Assistant Secretary General and Central Executive Council member of Jamaat, during a press conference at the party’s central office in Dhaka’s Moghbazar.
Halim claimed that administrators were being appointed based on party affiliations rather than through popular elections, leading to a disregard for public opinion in the local government system. He called for immediate local government elections to uphold democratic principles.
He expressed disappointment that instead of arranging local government polls promptly after the national election, the government opted for appointing administrators to suit its own interests.
Halim highlighted concerns over the appointment of administrators in 42 district councils, alleging that party considerations influenced these selections. He also criticized the appointment of individuals with political affiliations to key positions in the higher education sector, stating that it contradicted merit-based recruitment practices.
The Jamaat leader also touched upon the recent change in the Bangladesh Bank governor during the press conference.
When asked about the government’s authoritarian tendencies, Halim refrained from making strong statements, stating that Jamaat was currently registering its protest responsibly. However, he warned that the party might announce phased programs if their demands were not addressed.
