Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Naib Amir Dr. Syed Abdullah Md. A 4-member delegation led by Taher met with the United Nations Electoral Needs Assessment Mission visiting Bangladesh in a courtesy call at the organization's residential office. Dr. in the meeting. Taher said that the election is possible as early as possible.
The meeting held on Monday (January 20) at 12:30 pm was represented by Ms. Sara Pietropaoli, Political Affairs Officer, United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Electoral Assistance Department, Aditya Adhikari, Political Affairs Officer, Asia Pacific Department, United Nations Department of Political and Peacekeeping Affairs. Department of Institutional Affairs and Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Ms Nazia Hashemi, Adviser, Inclusive Institutions and Processes in the Digital Age (UNDP).
Central Executive Council Member Saiful Alam Khan Milan, Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Central Executive Council Member and Central Publicity and Media Department Secretary Matiur Rahman Akand were on behalf of Jamaat-e-Islami.
At the end of the meeting Dr. Syed Abdullah Md. Taher said in a brief press briefing, 'We have met here for a courtesy meeting at the invitation of the United Nations Electoral Needs Assessment Mission. They asked about a few things, what kind of assistance UNDP can do in the elections and what steps need to be taken to have a transparent and fair election and what we think about that.'
“These are the things they talked about and whether we welcome the UNDP mission or not.” As we said, we welcome any international organization for cooperation. But not to interfere. We welcome your technical and funding support at Without Interfere.'
“We have said another thing about making the election fair, to connect CC cameras in every centre. Because if there is a CC camera, the overall situation of the election will be understood. Here comes the Hughes Fund. We have asked you to cooperate with us in this matter. It will be a big help to make the election fair. When they asked about participatory elections, we said, we want participatory, fair, free, fair and participatory elections in principle. It is within our principles.'
He said, 'Then they said when the election date can be? We say as early as possible at the earliest possible time. But some urgent reforms are needed here. If there is an election without reforms, the election is likely to be the same as before. Making urgent reforms and electoral law changes that would strengthen and give more authority to elections; We have emphasized that. I said it is necessary to bring fundamental constitutional changes.'
“We have said that the prime minister cannot continue more than twice. There will be a balance of power between the President and the Prime Minister. We have said that there is a need for reforms in these matters as well. In this regard, we think that the proposals submitted by the Reforms Commission should be started with the political parties of the government immediately.
Taher said, 'It is necessary to make concessions on basic issues after completing the dialogue. Then the election needs to be done as soon as possible based on the time required to start the election. So choosing between Minimum, Possible, Necessary Reforms and then Nearest Shortened Time. This is about our stand. If the election is held without reforms, the election will remain flawed, we think. And it will not be right to waste time in the name of reforms. Fundamentally, we talked about these issues today.'
Dr. in response to a question from journalists. Taher said, BNP is a big party in Bangladesh. They have a point of view and they also have their say. We have said to make necessary reforms and give as many elections as possible. This is our stand.
Regarding Awami League's participation in the election, he said, 'People will, environment will – whatever the situation is. Our stand is the situation and the opinion and mandate of the people there. We have nothing special of our own there.'
Dr. in response to the question. Taher said, 'Jamaat-e-Islami will not give legal opinion against any party. It is people will decide, society will decide, situation will decide, environment will decide. He said that local government or national government election first, we are observant in this matter. We have not taken any final view on this. We will discuss and then give our views. Regarding the caretaker government, he said, this is absolutely our basic demand. Earlier the demand for a caretaker government was raised by Jamaat-e-Islami. Later other groups supported it. We campaigned for it. It was added to the Constitution. But unfortunately Awami League came to power and stopped it. They also agitated with us for a caretaker government. They stopped it for their own convenience. So elections should be held under a caretaker government. This is our basic demand and that is what it should be.'
