No more ‘backdoor elections’, Jamaat ameer tells rally in Kishoreganj

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman today vowed that elections conducted through what he termed “backdoor means” would no longer be allowed.

“Whoever is elected through a fair election, Jamaat is ready to congratulate them. But there will be no more elections through backdoor means,” he said while addressing an election rally at Katiadi College ground in Kishoreganj this morning.

Speaking as the chief guest, the Jamaat ameer called on the country’s youth to come forward to protect the vote and urged the administration to carry out its responsibilities impartially.

He claimed that no one would be able to manipulate votes and said the administration must act with neutrality, honesty and courage.

Saying that Jamaat does not seek favour from any quarter, Shafiqur warned that the party would not remain silent if it was harmed.

Addressing party activists and supporters, he urged them to remain vigilant so that, he said, no “vote thief” could interfere in the electoral process, no black money could influence voters and no one could mislead the public.

Calling on people to vote “yes” in the referendum, Shafiqur said it would help establish a discrimination-free, fascism-free and corruption-free Bangladesh.

He also said that if Jamaat is elected to power, corruption would not be tolerated and there would be no “case trade” in the country.

On foreign policy, the ameer said Bangladesh would maintain good relations with friendly countries but would not accept any foreign dominance.

Claiming that jobs would be allocated on the basis of merit, he also said women would be ensured safety at home, on the streets and at workplaces.

At the rally, Shafiqur distributed election symbols among candidates of the 11-party alliance, including Jamaat, contesting in six parliamentary constituencies of Kishoreganj.