Jamaat Ameer's Election Campaign Officially Begins

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is set to officially begin its election campaign through a rally and public outreach programme from Dhaka today.

“A public rally will begin at 2:30pm in the Dhaka-15 constituency on Thursday. The party’s Ameer and central leaders will be present there. At the same time, Jamaat candidates across the country will start their election campaigns in their respective constituencies,” Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, Jamaat’s assistant secretary general, said while briefing journalists at the party’s central office in the capital on Wednesday.

He said Jamaat’s Ameer would hold election rallies in several districts of northern Bangladesh on 23 and 24 January.

“Starting from Panchagarh, the programme will include large street meetings and events on 23 January in Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, and Rangpur. Along the way, he will interact with the public in important towns and marketplaces,” Zubair, also Jamaat’s Chief of Central Publicity and Media Department, added.According to him, Shafiqur Rahman will visit the grave of Abu Sayeed, the martyr of the July uprising who was first shot, in Rangpur, and meet with his family members on 24 January.

“After that, he will visit Palashbari in Gaibandha, Bogura town, Sherpur, Ullapara in Sirajganj, and finally address a public rally in Pabna. Following the completion of his north Bengal tour, he will return to Dhaka.

“Back in Dhaka on 25 January, the Jamaat Ameer will participate in public rallies in the Dhaka-5, 6, and 7 constituencies. Subsequent programmes will be announced soon in consultation with local party leaders.”

Zubair also said that they received complaints that campaign materials in favour of the “Yes” vote for referendum in the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) had been removed. When Jamaat contacted the DSCC authorities, they expressed regret.

“The government is directly campaigning in favor of the ‘Yes’ vote. No one other than supporters of fascism should take a position in favour of the referendum,” he said.

He urged the concerned parties to refrain from such actions in the future.