Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami assistant secretary general Hamidur Rahman Azad on Thursday said that the necessary level playing field for free and fair elections was yet to be established in the country, stressing the need for ensuring equal opportunity for all political parties in the electoral process.
He made the remarks while speaking to journalists following a meeting with chief election commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the election commission headquarters in Dhaka鈥檚 Agargaon.
A five-member delegation from the party, led by Azad, participated in the meeting.
鈥榃e have no objection if the election is held in February. We proposed to the commission to announce a timeline for holding elections either in February or April鈥�, Azad said.
He added that however, if the government believed preparations were completed聽 and intended to hold the election in December that year, Jamaat-e-Islami had no objection to that either.
Regarding the demand for elections under the Proportional Representation system, Azad said that they were strengthening the demand by building public opinion.
鈥榃e have presented this issue not only to the government but also to the people. We have addressed it in our meetings and rallies across the country. Gradually, the public is starting to support this system,鈥� he added.
He further noted that following the July uprising, a new political expectation had emerged among the people.
鈥楶eople now aspire to see a refined and modern political framework. From that perspective, we believe that the people of Bangladesh are now expressing support for the PR system鈥�, Azad added.
