Published: 09:00 AM, 09 December 2025
Jamaat to form national govt even if it wins 200 seats: Ameer
Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Monday (December 08, 2025) said his party intends to form a national government if it comes to power, even if it secures 200 parliamentary seats independently, aiming to safeguard national interest and ensure political stability.
He made the remarks while briefing reporters after paying a courtesy call on European Union Ambassador Michael Miller in Gulshan.
Ambassadors and diplomats at the meeting also included Swedish Ambassador Nicholas Wicks; Norwegian Ambassador Hakon Arald Gulbrandsen; German Ambassador Dr Rüdiger Lotz; Italian Ambassador Antonio Alessandro; French Deputy Head of Mission Frédéric Inza; Dutch Deputy Head of Mission Thijs Woudstra; EU Deputy Head of Mission Baiba Zarina; and Sebastian Rieger Braun, First Secretary at the EU Delegation.
During the meeting, EU representatives asked about issues including the Rohingya crisis, public security, the party's election manifesto, and its 100-day plan after assuming office.
In response, the Jamaat chief assured them that his party would work to build an 'inclusive Bangladesh', if elected, reports UNB.
"We will not exclude any political party. A national government is essential for the next five years to restore the economy, ensure stability, establish the rule of law, and curb corruption," he said.
He also outlined two conditions for joining the national government: no member would be allowed to engage in or tolerate corruption, and equal justice must be ensured with no political interference in the judiciary.
Speaking about holding the national election and referendum simultaneously, Shafiqur Rahman said voter awareness was still not adequate for two major ballots on the same day, warning that both processes could be hampered. He recommended keeping them separate.
Responding to allegations of using religion in politics, he said religion is part of Jamaat's ideology, not a tool. "We do not exploit religion. Those who suddenly appear with caps and prayer beads only during elections are the ones using religion," he said.
He reiterated that the upcoming parliamentary election scheduled for February must not be postponed. "We believe the election should be held on time, in February."
The Jamaat chief also reaffirmed the party's support for the proportional representation (PR) electoral system, saying it has been demanded in the interest of the people and that Jamaat would implement it, if elected.
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar on Monday said the party has full confidence in the Election Commission's (EC) ability to hold a free, fair and neutral national election within the timeframe it has announced.
"The party delegation met the Commission to seek clarity on several issues ahead of the next national polls," he told reporters after a formal meeting with the Election Commission at the EC headquarters in the capital's Agargaon.
Parwar said, "Several important matters related to the upcoming election required clarification. The Commission has assured us that the polls will be held as per their announced schedule. Based on their commitments, we want to place our trust in them," he said, reports BSS.
"We do not anticipate any delay in the election," the Jamaat-e-Islami leader added.
He noted that the meeting was not arranged out of distrust toward the Election Commission. Rather, he said, there was a public perception that the EC might be taking longer to announce the election schedule.
"We held this discussion to clarify that concern," Golam Porwar added.
He said the Commission informed them that preparations for a fair and neutral election were underway and expressed hope that the schedule would be announced within this week.
"They have taken a specific decision on this matter. As per their commitment, the national election will be held before the holy month of Ramadan, and the nation is waiting for that date," he said.
The Jamaat leader said today's discussion also covered issues including deployment of BGB and armed forces at polling centres, ensuring neutrality of field administration, concerns raised about senior officials involved in election duties, and the recovery of illegal firearms.
He said the party also discussed expatriate voting facilities and reiterated their support for installing CCTV cameras at polling centres to strengthen transparency.
"A genuinely neutral national election is essential for democracy, peace, order and a smooth transfer of power. Necessary funding can be sought from donor agencies if required," he continued.
Porwar added that the delegation presented specific evidence regarding issues that undermine a level playing field. "We urged the Commission to take decisive steps to resolve these problems," he said, adding that the CEC
assured them that once the election schedule is announced, the EC will exercise its authority to ensure neutrality, including making administrative reshuffles if necessary.
He said the CEC also assured that any anomaly in recent administrative reshuffles will be corrected immediately upon receiving complaints.
The six-member Jamaat delegation included Assistant Secretaries General ATM Masum, Dr. AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, and Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Publicity Secretary Matiur Rahman Akanda, and Bangladesh Lawyers Council President Advocate Jasim Uddin Sarkar.
