Demand for Referendum Based on Legal Basis of July Charter: Memorandum Submitted to Election Commission by Eight Parties Including Jamaat

Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim told reporters, “The key issue at present is the legal basis of the July National Charter. On behalf of our party, we have demanded the Election Commission to organize a referendum by November.”

He further added, “Some parties have proposed holding the national election and referendum on the same day. We believe the national election should take place in February, but the referendum should not be held on the same day, as it is meant to recognize the spirit of the July people’s uprising and the blood of students and citizens.”

Additionally, the parties urged the Election Commission to ensure the national election and a level playing field according to the amended RPO (Representation of the People Order). Maulana Abdul Halim stated, “Some parties have suggested bringing the RPO to Parliament. However, in our view, no cuts should be made to the RPO approved by the Advisory Council.”

On Thursday morning at 11:00 AM, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Jatiyo Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA), Nezam-e-Islam Party, Development Party, and Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan marched from Agargaon Metro Station to the Election Commission in Dhaka, where they held a brief assembly and submitted the memorandum.

Party leaders and activists stated that they will continue their movement for the implementation of the July National Charter, free and fair elections under the interim government, conducting a referendum, and their other five-point demands. They also emphasized the need to swiftly implement the recommendations of the Consensus Commission to restore public confidence in the government.

The march was led by Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim and Jamaat-backed parliamentary candidate for Dhaka-13, Mobarok Hossain. Central leaders of Jamaat and activists from Dhaka Metropolitan North and South also participated.