Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami organized a press conference today, September 30 (Tuesday) at 12:30 p.m. at the Al-Falah Auditorium in Moghbazar. At the conference, the new programs were announced to meet party’s 5-point demands, including holding elections in February based on the July National Charter.

The conference was hosted by Jamaat-e-Islami’s Assistant Secretary General and Head of the Central Publicity and Media Department Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair. The written statement was presented and various questions from journalists were answered by the Secretary General, and former MP Professor Mia Golam Porwar.

Among others, Assistant Secretary General Dr. A.H.M. Hamidur Rahman Azad (former MP), Maulana Abdul Halim, Central Executive Council Member Mr. Mobarak Hossain, Central Executive Council Member and Ameer of Dhaka South City Nurul Islam Bulbul, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Dhaka City North Abdur Rahman Musa were present on the occasion.

The statement presented at the press conference is hereby placed before the people of the country:
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

Dear journalist friends,
Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah.
You are aware that following the successful mass uprising of July–August 2024, an interim government was formed as the ultimate expression of the people’s will and on the basis of national consensus.

After assuming responsibility, the interim government, keeping in view the needs of the state and with the commitment to fulfilling the people’s expectations, began working with the determination to ensure the trial of mass killings, to reform the state, and to block every path for the return of autocracy. Various reform commissions were formed as well.

Based on the recommendations of these commissions, the National Consensus Commission held discussions with political parties in light of 166 proposals. After prolonged discussions, 84 proposals were adopted in the form of decisions. However, due to dissent from several political parties on some important proposals, a number of crucial decisions could not be finalized.

Dear journalist friends,
The government has already prepared the July National Declaration and the July National Charter. As a major political party of the country, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has submitted its recommendations with necessary amendments to the July National Declaration and Charter to the government. Jamaat-e-Islami also has consistently played a significant role in demanding that the July National Charter be given a legal basis.

At this critical juncture of the nation, Jamaat-e-Islami has clearly expressed its position regarding the legal foundation of the Charter by citing various precedents and examples of the “Doctrine of Necessity.” For this purpose, based on the opinions of legal and constitutional experts, Jamaat-e-Islami has placed two proposals before the government—

1. To issue a ‘Constitutional Decree’ for the July National Charter.
2. To ensure a stronger legal foundation by implementing the Charter through a referendum before the elections.
Otherwise, there is a fear that the uprising achieved through the blood of students and the masses may end in failure.
Dear journalist friends,
The roadmap for the national parliamentary elections has already been determined. In line with the announced roadmap, we have been urging the adoption of necessary measures to hold a free, fair, impartial, and acceptable election, free from fear and intimidation. Our past experiences have proven that to prevent the use of black money, capturing of polling centers, show of muscle power, irregularities, and mischief, and to ensure the value of every single vote, it is essential to conduct the election under the PR (Proportional Representation) system. On this demand, the majority of political parties, intellectuals, journalists, researchers, and academics have reached a consensus.
Dear journalist friends,
We are observing that no effective steps are being taken to implement the demands of the people. Under such circumstances, in order to organize a free, fair, and acceptable election in February based on the July National Charter and to transform Bangladesh into a justice-based and accountable democratic state by ensuring the people’s right to vote, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on September 15 placed a 5-point mass demand before the nation.
At the same time, a 3-day program was announced to initiate a mass movement. A huge number of people across the country participated in the declared program. For this, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the people of the country and express our gratitude to the media.
Dear journalist friends,
Today we want to state unequivocally that our 5-point mass demand has already become logical and acceptable to the people. Therefore, the people of the country have given broad support to this demand and have joined the movement. The incumbent government should immediately accept the people’s 5-point demand and arrange for the 13th National Parliamentary Elections in February on the basis of the July National Charter.
If the government ignores this just demand and fails to resolve the crisis quickly, the people of the country will be compelled to adopt a tougher course of action to realize their legitimate rights.
Declared Program—
• From October 1 to October 9: Nationwide public contacts, organizing exchange of views meetings, roundtable discussions, and seminars.
• October 10: Mass rallies in the capital and all divisional cities.
• October 12: Submission of memorandums to Deputy Commissioners (District Commissioners) across the country.
Through the implementation of these programs, we make an earnest appeal to the fellow countrymen to be united for the realization of these demands.