Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Wednesday unveiled its election manifesto for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary elections, outlining 26 priority commitments and 41 broader vision goals, with a focus on youth leadership, women’s safety, democratic reforms, economic revival, and dismantling what it termed a “fascist system.”
The manifesto was formally announced in the evening, with party leaders stating that the proposed agenda would guide governance if Jamaat-e-Islami forms the next government. The document emphasises justice, equality, accountability, technological advancement, and inclusive development as the core pillars of its political programme.
According to the party, the manifesto prioritises the establishment of a state that is uncompromising on national sovereignty and public interest, alongside building a discrimination-free, just, and humane Bangladesh based on fairness and social justice.
A central theme of the manifesto is youth empowerment, with Jamaat pledging to prioritise young people in state governance and leadership, while ensuring women’s safety, dignity, and active participation in national life.
The party also promised sweeping reforms in law enforcement to create a crime-free society, eliminating extortion and terrorism, and restoring public trust through honest leadership and institutional reform to eradicate corruption.
In its economic blueprint, Jamaat outlined plans to build a technology-driven, modern society and generate large-scale employment across sectors including technology, manufacturing, agriculture, and industry.
The manifesto pledges free application for government jobs, merit-based recruitment, and the elimination of all forms of discrimination in public employment.
To stabilise the economy, the party proposed reforms in the banking and financial sectors to restore confidence, encourage investment, and establish a transparent, sustainable, and business-friendly economic environment. It also pledged to strengthen democracy by ensuring free and fair elections, introducing proportional representation, and reinforcing the caretaker government system.
The manifesto commits to prosecuting past cases of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and politically motivated murders, alongside safeguarding fundamental human rights. It also includes promises to preserve the history of the July movement, rehabilitate families of those killed or injured, and fully implement the July Charter.
In agriculture, Jamaat pledged to drive a technological revolution to increase productivity and improve farmers’ livelihoods. By 2030, the party aims to ensure completely adulteration-free food security and implement a “Three Zero Vision” — zero environmental degradation, zero waste, and zero flood risk — to build a green and clean Bangladesh.
Industrial development features prominently, with commitments to expand small and medium enterprises, establish heavy industries, attract domestic and foreign investment, and create widespread employment.
Workers’ welfare is also highlighted, including higher wages, better living standards, and safe working environments, especially for women.
For expatriate Bangladeshis, Jamaat pledged to ensure voting rights and greater participation in national development. It also rejected majority-minority distinctions, promising equal citizenship rights for all, with special support for disadvantaged communities.
The manifesto further outlines plans for modern, universal healthcare, with phased implementation of free quality medical services for the poor, alongside comprehensive education reforms aimed at ensuring free education in stages and aligning curricula with global demands.
To tackle the cost-of-living crisis, Jamaat promised to stabilise commodity prices, ensure essential goods remain affordable, and guarantee access to basic necessities. Major reforms in transportation are also proposed, including upgrading road and rail networks to reduce travel time between Dhaka and divisional cities to two to three hours, and overhauling both regional connectivity and urban transport systems.
Other key pledges include affordable housing for low- and middle-income families, the complete dismantling of authoritarian governance structures, strengthening judicial and reform processes to prevent the return of autocracy, and establishing a universal social security system to guarantee safe working lives and international-standard welfare protection.
The manifesto concludes with a commitment to ensuring good governance through transparency and accountability at all levels, with the stated goal of building a happy, prosperous, and inclusive welfare state.
Party leaders said the manifesto reflects Jamaat-e-Islami’s vision for a just, democratic, and development-oriented Bangladesh, positioning the party as a reform-driven alternative in the highly competitive election race.
