The party expressed hope that voter turnout would rise as the day progresses and that citizens would exercise their right to vote. It also said the administration and the Election Commission are expected to carry out their duties impartially.
Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary-General and head of its central publicity and media department, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, made the remarks while briefing reporters at the party’s central office on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. ahead of the 13th parliamentary election.
Members of the party’s national election steering committee, including Zahidur Rahman, Dr. Mosharraf Hossain, Barrister Saif Uddin Khaled, Barrister Fakhrul Islam and Mia Md. Tarun, were present.
Zubair said voting was being held in 299 constituencies and that a referendum was taking place alongside the parliamentary election. He said the party believes voters will support the “yes” vote in the referendum as well as its candidates in the national election.
He said the party’s ameer cast his vote in Dhaka-15, while other senior leaders voted in their respective constituencies across Rajshahi, Rangpur, Comilla, Khulna, Sirajganj and Cox’s Bazar.
Zubair said the election was being held with significant public participation and described the atmosphere as festive. He said many young voters were taking part in what he described as their first experience of a competitive election.
He urged citizens to go to polling stations and elect what he described as honest and competent leadership for the country’s future.
However, Zubair also alleged irregularities in several constituencies. He said party leaders and activists were attacked in Bhola, including in the Bhola-2 constituency, and that party agents were obstructed from carrying out their duties. He alleged that in Comilla-8, agents were prevented from entering polling centers and voters faced obstruction. Similar allegations were raised in Hatia, Noakhali. He claimed the administration did not provide adequate cooperation in some areas.
He said the administration and the Election Commission must remain neutral and ensure a free and fair vote. Any deviation, he said, would ultimately be judged by the public.
Zubair also criticized the role of some media outlets on the eve of the election, calling their coverage disappointing. He said the media should maintain neutrality, objectivity and accountability.
In response to a question about whether election results could be manipulated if his party wins, Zubair said the party was concerned by what it viewed as biased reporting by some media outlets. He said the media faced pressure in the past and, in some cases, cooperated with what he described as authoritarian rule.
He added that while some outlets played a positive role during recent political changes, the party expects all media organizations to remain neutral and not act as spokespersons for any political group.
Zubair said the party has communicated its concerns to relevant authorities and is monitoring developments throughout the day. He said a further statement would be issued later after reviewing the overall situation.
