Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's Acting Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum has issued the following statement on 16th November, 2023 declaring nationwide strike on 19th and 20th November protesting the declaration of schedule of a blueprint election by the subservient election commission.

Government's subservient election commission has declared schedule for the upcoming national election on 15th November evening ignoring the public views and opinions of the opposition parties. The countrymen, Jamaat-e-Islami and all other opposition parties have vehemently rejected and refused this election schedule.

We want to warn further saying that, such declaration of election schedule by disregarding the opposition quarters will push the nation towards more instability and anarchy. It will close the door for dialogue and will create uncertainty in the political arena. The government and its subservient election commission have to take the liabilities of all untoward consequences of the declaration of this one-sided election schedule.

He further said, in guise of democracy, the incumbent tyrannical government has cancelled the caretaker government system. The fascist government did not allow the voters to cast their votes in the elections of 2014 and 2018. Rather, they captured the office through farcical elections. The government is not allowing Jamaat-e-Islami and other opposition parties to hold procession or rallies. They also kept Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and other senior opposition leaders behind the bar for years. New cases have been filed against numerous opposition leaders and activists. The ruling party is enjoying all privilege and facilities while the opposition parties are being made deprived from minimum democratic space. The total situation of the country is far away from level-playing field. To create such balanced situation, Jamaat Ameer, all opposition leaders and activists must be freed and politically motivated false cases to be withdrawn. Political parties to be given opportunities to hold meeting and rallies. Jamaat's central and city offices must be opened. The opposition parties are continuing their movement. Local and international community are trying to make a political consensus. But disregarding all such efforts, the incumbent stubborn government is mulling to hold another farcical and one-sided election. Concerned stakeholders also consider the declaration of election schedule as a part of the same conspiracy.

But the people will not allow to implement the conspiracy this time. The election commission must withdraw the existing poll schedule and they should go for a new schedule following a good consensus between the political parties. On behalf of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, I am declaring nationwide 48-hour long strike from 19th November 6am to 21st November 6 am. I am urging the fellow countrymen and the leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami to make the strike peaceful and successful.