Islami Andolan calls for local polls before national election in its declaration placed during a grand rally held at Suhrawardy Udyan on Saturday, where the party unveiled a 16-point demand including state reforms, justice, a proportional representation (PR) system, and firm resistance against all anti-state and anti-Islam conspiracies.The rally was presided over by Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, the ameer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh.The party’s demands include restoring the principle of “absolute trust and faith in Almighty Allah” in the Constitution as a fundamental state principle alongside equality, human dignity, and social justice.Islam is the safeguard of Bangladesh’s sovereignty, which must be reflected in the Constitution, the party said.
It demanded prompt action against activities that threaten Islam and the country’s sovereignty to prevent mass unrest.
National unity must be built to resist all anti-state and anti-Islam conspiracies and to counter imperialist, expansionist, and hegemonic forces, it added.
The party called for the introduction of a proportional representation (PR) electoral system in both proposed chambers of parliament, the announcement of a July Charter by the following month to fulfill the aspirations of the July 2024 uprising, and the establishment of a discrimination-free, corruption-free Bangladesh.
It demanded local government elections at all levels before the next national election and the introduction of a provision requiring all future local polls to be held under a non-partisan caretaker government.
The declaration stressed that fundamental state reforms must be completed urgently to prevent future autocrats, corrupt individuals, looters, and terrorists from using state power to snatch people’s rights or undermine constitutional institutions through partisanship.
The administration must be restructured to ensure a level playing field for fair elections. Justice must be ensured for crimes committed by the previous fascist regime, and diplomatic efforts must be intensified to bring fugitive criminals back to the country.
The party also demanded visible and effective initiatives to recover laundered money.
Other demands included:
Law enforcement must act decisively to curb extortion, terrorism, and violence.
All agreements signed with India must be made public, and any anti-national agreements must be revoked.
Corrupt individuals, loan defaulters, and terrorists must be identified and disqualified from contesting elections.
Before announcing the national election schedule, a fair, neutral, and acceptable environment must be ensured.
The party warned that announcing the schedule under pressure from any political quarter or foreign country without ensuring equal opportunities for all would not be accepted.
It called for an end to all forms of bribery, corruption, and harassment of citizens, the withdrawal of “politically motivated” and “false” cases, and legal measures to prevent mob violence.
It also urged the formation of a united, ironclad alliance of patriotic and Islamic forces to defeat corrupt, extortionist, and terrorist groups in the upcoming national election.
To safeguard the country’s independence, sovereignty, public safety, communal harmony, peace, and progress, the party called for the practice of the enlightened ideals of Islam at all levels of the state.