Jamaat Demands Interrogation of Former Advisor Rizwana Over Election Engineering Claims

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has demanded the interrogation of former interim government adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, claiming she is a “self-declared witness” to alleged vote engineering in the 13th National Assembly election.

The demand was made at an emergency press conference at the party’s central office in Moghbazar, Dhaka, on Thursday (March 5). The briefing was addressed by Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Amir and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher.

Taher also accused former interim government adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman of being the “mastermind of a London conspiracy.” He alleged that Rahman was later rewarded with the post of foreign minister. Taher called for the removal and questioning of all individuals allegedly involved in election manipulation.

The press conference followed remarks by former adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan. According to Taher, she had indicated that certain political forces were not allowed to emerge as a “mainstream power,” which he described as evidence of interference in the election process.

Referring to the February 12 parliamentary election, Taher said the vote initially appeared acceptable. However, he claimed reports began emerging later in the day about polling stations being occupied and fake votes being cast.

“Our agents were forcibly removed from several polling centres and in many places they were not allowed to enter from the beginning,” Taher alleged. “We have also received reports of irregularities involving presiding officers and polling agents.”

He said Jamaat-e-Islami has filed formal complaints regarding alleged irregularities in 53 constituencies and plans to pursue legal action.

Taher further claimed that Jamaat had raised concerns about the neutrality of some interim government advisers before the election. He said advisers had earlier pledged not to join any subsequent party-led government, but Khalilur Rahman took oath as foreign minister on the first day of the new government.

According to Taher, this move contradicts that earlier commitment and suggests political involvement by the adviser.

Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan, Executive Council member Saiful Alam Khan Milon, Working Council member Advocate Shishir Monir, and Publicity Department member Zahidur Rahman were also present at the press conference.