Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan Bangladesh on Tuesday announced similar protest programmes for the second phase of their five-point movement beginning today Wednesday.
Both parties demanded national election through the Proportional Representation (PR) system and confirmation of the legal basis of the July Charter.
The announcements were made at separate press briefings in the parties' central offices.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, which is protesting with five-point demands including holding elections in February based on the July Charter, declared an 11-day programme for the second phase.
Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar announced this at a press conference in Al-Falah Auditorium, Moghbazar, Dhaka.
Parwar spoke about the party's new logo, their demand for elections under the Proportional Representation (PR) system, and the party's ongoing movement.
He said, "It has been decided to change our logo, that's right. We are creating a new logo. We already discussed three or four designs. Some logos will be edited and a final decision will be made in our decision-making forum, the apex body. When it is finalized, we will inform you."
Parwar explained that the logo shown earlier to a foreign delegation at the Jamaat Ameer's office at Bashundhara was only experimental. "Many people think that is our logo, I don't object to it. But that is not the final one. It was just used temporarily during decoration for the guests."
When asked why the logo is being changed, he replied: "The change can only be for an organization. We will explain it when we officially announce the final logo."
When asked if the Awami League would gain more seats under PR, Parwar said, "We did not demand PR for the sake of any party. The PR system is used in 90 to 91 countries. We explained how this system ensures a wonderful parliament beyond black money, muscle power, and ensuring every vote counts."
"Who profits or loses is not our concern, representation of the people, evaluation of every vote, fair election and a quality parliament are our demands, just like in the modern democratic world," he said.
Parwar claimed the Awami League cannot take part in the elections.
He said, "The government already announced restrictions on them and the Election Commission explained that due to this, Awami League cannot join the election. Later, the Election Commission officially said that the boat symbol has been removed from the symbol list, and their registration has been suspended. So, they have no chance to participate in this election. That makes the question somewhat irrelevant."
Parwar also discussed Jamaat's movement for five demands, including elections under PR.
"We are running the movement in a systematic and constructive way. The head of government is also the head of the National Consensus Commission. We are drawing his attention. If he disagrees, he can call us, we will present arguments, and they can convince us. This can be solved at the negotiation table. We are informing the authorities and the people through our programmes, and we hope, God willing, our demands will be fulfilled."
He added: "The movement is part of politics. Such movements always happen. Constructive movements can be settled through negotiations. There is no reason to think elections will be uncertain. We have said elections must be held by February 15. We want elections on February 15, 2026."
Their programme includes mass communicatoin across the country to build public opinion on the five demands from October 1 to October 9. On October 10 mass processions in all divisional cities including Dhaka and on October 12 Submission of memorandums to District Commissioners (district administrators) across the country.
Other leaders present were Assistant Secretaries General Abdul Halim and Hamidur Rahman Azad, Central Executive Member Saiful Alam Khan, Head of Media and Publicity Department Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, and Dhaka Metropolitan South Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul.
Jamaat's five demands are: Introduce the PR system in both houses of parliament in the upcoming elections, Ensure a level playing field for free, fair and acceptable elections, Make visible the trials of atrocities, genocide and corruption of the "fascist government, Ban the activities of the Jatiya Party and the 14-party alliance, which Jamaat calls allies of dictatorship, Hold elections in February based on the July Charter.
Earlier, Jamaat observed a three-day protest programme from September 18 to September 26.
Islami Andolan Bangladesh announced a 12-day second-phase programme with five demands, including holding elections through the PR system in line with the July Charter and ensuring its legal basis.
The announcement was made by Secretary General Principal Hafez Maulana Yunus Ahmad at the party's central office in Dhaka.
Earlier, the party held its first-phase programme in September.
Yunus Ahmad said that despite continuous protests and dialogues, the government has shown no positive response. He warned that if a government formed by the blood of the people ignores their demands, its moral and legal legitimacy will be weakened.
He also said that after the July mass uprising, Islami Andolan gave full support to the government on reform, justice, and election issues. But no strong steps have been taken to abolish dictatorship permanently. According to him, the trial of those involved in fascism is slow, 73 percent of detainees have been released on bail, and no effort has been seen to create a level playing field.
The party's five demands are elections based on the July Charter, voting through the PR system, creating a fair environment for elections, trial of genocide and banning of fascist's accomplices during the trial.
Their programme includes mass communication on October 1 to October 9, mass processions in all divisional cities including Dhaka on October 10 and submission of memorandums to District Commissioners on October 12.
