On Thursday, October 30, at 11:00 a.m., on behalf of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, a memorandum signed by the party’s Secretary General and former MP Professor Mia Golam Porwar was submitted to the Honorable Chief Election Commissioner. The memorandum called for several demands including,

(1) holding a national referendum in November to provide a sustainable legal foundation for the July National Charter based on the recommendations of the National Consensus Commission,

(2) implementation of the amended Representation of the People Order (RPO), and

(3) ensuring a level playing field in the upcoming election.

A delegation of Jamaat-e-Islami, led by it’s Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim went to the Election Commission office and handed over the memorandum.

Before submitting the memorandum, a pre-march rally was held at the Agargaon intersection in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.

The rally was hosted by Jamaat-e-Islami's central working committee member and Secretary of Dhaka North City Dr. Rezaul Karim.

Among others, member of the Central Executive Council and Jamaat’s nominated candidate for Dhaka-13 constituency Mr. Mobarak Hossain, member of the Central Working Committee and Nayeb-e-Ameer of Dhaka South City Advocate Dr. Helal Uddin, Assistant Secretary of Dhaka South City Jamaat Mohammad Kamal Hossain, and Assistant Secretaries of Dhaka North City Jamaat.

Nazim Uddin Molla and Yaseen Arafat spoke on the occasion.

After the rally, a procession marched through Sher-e-Bangla Nagar and Agargaon, endiled in front of the Election Commission office. Then a four-member delegation entered the conference room to submit the memorandum directly to the Chief Election Commissioner.

The text of the memorandum is presented below:

Honorable Chief Election Commissioner,

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah.

In line with the nation’s aspirations for a free, fair, and credible national election, the Interim Government and the Bangladesh Election Commission have been working tirelessly to restore democracy, strengthen democratic institutions, and make the National Parliament more effective—a truly historic moment for the nation.

Following the successful mass uprising of July–August 2024, an interim government had been formed reflecting the people’s will and national consensus. After assuming office, the interim government began working with the firm determination to fulfill public expectations, bring justice for genocide, reform the state to prevent any return of authoritarian rule. In this context, several reform commissions were established as well.

Based on their recommendations, the National Consensus Commission formulated 166 proposals and held a series of dialogues with political parties. After long discussions, 84 proposals were finalized.

On October 28, the National Consensus Commission submitted its recommendations to the Interim Government for implementing the July National Charter. The people of the country believe that without a referendum, the July National Charter cannot obtain a sustainable legal foundation. There is nationwide agreement on holding this referendum, and the public demands that it be completed by November, before holding the national election.

The Bangladesh Election Commission has already announced its roadmap for the national election. We have long been urging the Commission to take all necessary steps to ensure a free, fair, impartial, and fear-free election in line with this roadmap. Based on our past experience, we have repeatedly demanded measures to stop the use of black money, prevent vote rigging and the capture of polling centers, end muscle power and electoral irregularities, and to ensure that every vote counts by introducing a proportional representation (PR) system, which would produce a qualified parliament and capable lawmakers.

In accordance with the timeframe announced by the Interim Government, under your leadership the Election Commission is now preparing for the national election scheduled for February 2026. The Advisory Council has already approved amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO).

However, we have noticed that one political party has demanded changes to some of these amendments. We firmly believe that such demands must not be accepted under any circumstances.

You are surely aware that Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, along with several other political parties, has been waging a movement based on five public demands, which include implementation of the July National Charter, holding a referendum in November, and conducting a fair election in February 2026.

Our demands have received tremendous support from various political parties, as well as from intellectuals, journalists, researchers, academics, and conscious citizens. The general public has also expressed overwhelming support by joining the street movement in favor of these demands.

Under these circumstances, we hope that the Bangladesh Election Commission will accept Jamaat-e-Islami’s rational and practical public demands to ensure a free, fair, and fear-free national election, and thereby pave the way for the restoration of democracy in our beloved country.

May Almighty Allah grant you good health, long life, and steadfast leadership.

Was-salaam,

Yours sincerely,

Mia Golam Porwar

Secretary General

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.