Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and former lawmaker Professor Mia Golam Porwar issued a statement on November 2 (Sunday) in which he categorically stated that “If the government, through a secret understanding with a particular party, cancels the latest amendment to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) by issuing an order allowing a registered party’s candidate to contest the election with the symbol of another alliance member, it would be a disgraceful violation of the level playing field.”

In his statement, he said, “Even if an electoral alliance is formed, candidates must contest the national election with their respective party symbols — the Advisory Council of the Interim Government approved a draft amendment to the election-related law, the Representation of the People Order (RPO), on October 23, adding this very provision. According to various sources, based on a so-called ‘gentleman’s agreement’ between a BNP leader and an advisor, that approved order is now on the verge of being revoked. The people of the country believe that if the Representation of the People Order (RPO), which was amended upon the recommendation of the Election System Reform Commission and approved by the Advisory Council, is repealed, it would be a highly disgraceful, undemocratic, and clearly politically motivated act.”

He further stated, “If the amendment approved by the Interim Government is ultimately canceled in the Advisory Council meeting under the pretext of a so-called ‘gentleman’s agreement’ between a BNP advisor and a government advisor, it will raise serious doubts before the nation about the neutrality of the upcoming election and the assurance of a level playing field for all parties. The people believe that, if such an incident takes place, the government will have no moral or logical justification to answer this question. If, just four months before the election, the level playing field is undermined through the negotiation between a political leader and an advisor of the government, it will become impossible to hold a free and fair election.”

Mia Golam Porwar concluded, “In the greater interest of the nation and to ensure equal opportunity for all political parties, we urge the Interim Government to uphold the existing Representation of the People Order (RPO), as recommended by the Election System Reform Commission and approved by the Advisory Council.”