A new political alliance, Jatiya Sanskar Jote, comprising at least eight political parties, was launched on Saturday with a firm call for comprehensive electoral reforms ahead of the next general election.
The alliance was announced by Bangladesh Sanskar Party executive president Amin Ahmed Afsari at a press conference held at Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital.
The political parties in the alliance were formed well before the July uprising, and none of them is yet to be registered with the Election Commission.
Afsari said that they would announce the names of the political parties of the new political alliance later.
Rallying for the slogans 鈥榚lection without reform is the exile of democracy鈥� and 鈥榚lection without reform is the full residence of dictatorship,鈥� the alliance aims to unite reform-oriented political forces, social institutions, cultural organisations and individuals under a common platform.
Afsari said that, without a meaningful change, elections would not bring about any transformation in the country, and the sacrifices of martyrs would be rendered meaningless.
He said that the alliance could evolve into a broader national reform and electoral alliance.
Afsari, also the convener of the newly formed Jatiya Sanskar Jote, announced a 10-point proposal to push for effective reforms by the interim government to ensure free and fair elections.
He called for the removal of controversial advisers, restructuring of the government and visible reform progress by August 5, 2025.
The key proposals of the 10-point proposal include a public declaration of the government鈥檚 commitment to the July-August uprising, reforms in the law enforcement agencies, support for the injured protesters, inclusive political dialogue and handing over power to a neutral caretaker government three months before the polls.
The alliance warned that elections might lack legitimacy and public trust without these changes.