Luring voters with cards or false promises violates election rules: Jamaat chief

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has called on political parties and the government to remain united and exercise restraint as election campaigning enters its second day, warning that luring voters with cards or false promises is a clear violation of the election code of conduct.

Speaking to reporters at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Friday morning (23 January) before leaving for a tour of eight northern districts, Shafiqur rejected allegations that Jamaat had violated election rules. He said it should be examined whether misleading, possibly AI-generated videos are being deliberately circulated to target his party.

“We do not believe in the politics of buying people,” he said. “Those involved in such practices are trying to shift the blame onto us.”

He said offering cards, rice at Tk 10 per kg, or assurances of fake flats to influence voters directly violates the code of conduct. “We strongly oppose any attempt to influence people’s legitimate rights through such deceptive means,” he added.

Shafiqur said campaigning for the national parliamentary elections and the July Charter referendum officially began across the country on Thursday. Although the government had started referendum campaigning earlier, Jamaat did not participate out of respect for the Representation of the People Order (RPO), he said.

Describing the country’s condition, the Jamaat chief said Bangladesh has been “stuck in quicksand” for the past 54 years, creating serious challenges for any future government. He pointed to widespread youth unemployment, the lack of a worker-friendly environment in many sectors, and the failure to ensure safe movement and workplaces for women.

Calling for unity during what he described as a national crisis, Shafiqur urged parties to avoid attacking one another and instead present realistic and constructive programmes to voters.

“Our first message is that everyone needs to be united during this national crisis,” he said. “We should go to the people with practical plans to build the country, without harming one another.”

He also urged all stakeholders to respect the election outcome and warned against any dishonest attempts to influence the vote. “It is not appropriate for anyone, at any level of the state, to get involved in such activities,” he said.

Raising concerns about expatriate voting, Shafiqur said ballot papers had been sent to Bangladeshis living abroad but had not yet reached all destinations. He urged the Election Commission to ensure ballots are delivered and returned within the deadline, noting limited working days in many countries.

On the referendum, he said voters seeking a fundamental change from what he termed decades of “rotten politics” should vote “Yes.”

He added that Jamaat’s nationwide election activities outside Dhaka formally began with Friday’s tour. If given the opportunity to form a government, he said, Jamaat would work for justice-based development grounded in reality, not false promises.