A delegation led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's Assistant Secretary General and former Member of Parliament Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad met Chief Election Commissioner A. M. M. Nasir Uddin on Thursday afternoon, 15 January.

The delegation also included Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's Assistant Secretary General and Head of party's Central Media and Publicity Department Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, Central Executive Council Member Mobarak Hossain, and Central Working Committee Member Advocate Jasim Uddin Sarkar.

While briefing journalists after the meeting, Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad said that free and fair elections are not possible unless the administration remains neutral. Although official election campaigning is scheduled to begin on 22 January, candidates of some parties have already been campaigning freely in certain areas. Despite clear violations of the electoral code of conduct, the local administration is not taking effective action.

He further said that it is essential to ensure equality in providing protocol facilities to the leaders of the two major parties of Bangladesh participating in the elections. On this matter, the Election Commission has assured that it will take swift and effective measures. He expressed hope that the Commission would implement these measures promptly.

Referring to the demand for installing CCTV cameras to ensure the security of polling centres, he said that instead of taking direct initiative, the Election Commission has sent letters to the relevant institutions, which are not in a position to implement such measures. The Election Commission itself must take responsibility for these arrangements with government funding.

Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad also stated that activists of some political parties are distributing family cards and agriculture cards, which is influencing and deceiving voters. As a result, the public is being deprived of the opportunity to elect candidates of their choice.

Jamaat-e-Islami has demanded that such activities be stopped immediately. The Commission has taken note of the issue and informed the delegation that necessary steps will be taken.

In addition, the delegation raised allegations before the Commission regarding the adoption of a dual policy in fining Jamaat candidates for alleged violations of service rules on charges of exchanging greetings with MPO-enlisted teachers. Such actions, the delegation opined, are raising questions about the neutrality of the Commission.

He further said that no action is being taken against officials who are committing injustices in various places, which is a major obstacle to holding free and fair elections.

Although the government is making positive statements about the elections, their practical reflection is not visible at the field level.
Urging for effective initiatives by the government, the Election Commission, and all concerned to ensure a conducive environment for holding free and acceptable elections, Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad said that, as a cooperating political force, Jamaat-e-Islami will stand by in this regard.