Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman cast his ballot in the 13th parliamentary election on Wednesday morning and calling the vote a long-awaited moment for citizens who were denied their voting rights for more than 15 years.
He entered Monipur Uchcha Vidyalaya and College (Boys’ Branch) at 8:20am and voted at a polling booth on the third floor at around 8:30am. He later spoke to journalists at the centre.
“It has been a long wait. The people of this country have not been able to vote for more than a decade and a half. I could not vote either,” he said.
“I was in jail in 2014, 2018 and 2024 and lost those voting opportunities. Today by the grace of Allah, I have been able to vote again.”
Shafiqur said the significance of the election went beyond his own participation. “It is not just me. Many young people have never cast a vote in their lives. They were waiting for this day” he said.
He expressed hope that the election would be peaceful and fair. “We pray that this vote is free, fair, crime-free and acceptable to all,” he said.
The Jamaat chief said the election should lead to the formation of a government that serves the entire population. “The future government must not belong to any individual, family or party. It should be a government for the 180 million people of Bangladesh” he said and asking for prayers.
Responding to questions about possible irregularities, Shafiqur said he would monitor developments across the country. “If there are minor issues we will overlook them. But if there are serious problems, we will act to protect people’s right to vote” he said.
Asked whether he would accept the election results, he said Jamaat would respect the outcome of a fair process. “When a vote is free and fair, the result must be accepted by all. That is the beauty of democracy” he said.
He also urged voters to turn out in large numbers. “I appeal to all citizens — men and women — to vote peacefully and without fear. Come out of your homes, exercise your rights and play your role in building the state,” he said.
On the arrest of Jamaat leaders in different parts of the country on Wednesday, Shafiqur criticised what he described as uneven media coverage. He said crimes should be punished, regardless of who commits them but warned against filing cases where no offence had occurred. “Presenting non-criminal acts as crimes is itself a serious wrongdoing” he said.
Comment
