Rally in front of EC demanding referendum
Several parties have gathered in front of the Election Commission (EC) demanding various demands, including implementation of the July Charter and a referendum in November. They will be coming to the EC with processions under various banners from Thursday morning (October 30). It is learnt that a memorandum will be submitted to the Election Commission after the protest.
Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan, Khilafat Majlis, Nezami Islam Party, Khilafat Andolan, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA) and Unnayan Party will submit a memorandum to the EC seeking to achieve five-point demands. JAGPA, Khilafat Majlis and Islami Andolan participated in the rally at around 11:30 am. Other parties are also participating in the rally in phases.
Islami Andolan Bangladesh Secretary General Hafez Maulana Adhikari Yunus Ahmed said, “A referendum should be held in November before the national elections. The July Charter should be given a legal basis. Even if the government spends some money, a referendum must be organized, otherwise there will be no fair elections.”
National Democratic Party (JAGPA) Vice President and party chief Rashed Pradhan said, “I have come to submit a memorandum to the Election Commission to provide a legal basis for the July Charter. There is no alternative to a referendum to implement the July Charter.”
The 5-point demand is—
- Issue an order to implement the July Charter and organize a referendum on that order by next November.
- Introduce proportional representation (PR) system in both houses in the next national election.
- Ensure equal opportunities for all with the aim of free, fair and acceptable elections.
- Make all atrocities, genocide and corruption of the ‘fascist’ government visible.
- Banning ‘allies of tyranny’, activities of the Jatiya Party and 14 other parties.
