Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar on Sunday alleged that his party was deliberately defeated in the February 12 polls through "tempering and various mechanisms," despite securing a vote share only marginally behind the winning Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Addressing a post-election activist rally at Ideal Public School and College in Fulbari at 8 AM, Parwar acknowledged the necessity of elections in building a "new Bangladesh" following the recent uprising.
He credited the interim government's cooperation and support from "patriotic" armed forces and law enforcement for conducting the polls.
"While our party secured fewer seats, Alhamdulillah, we have advanced significantly in vote percentage," Parwar stated. "The BNP won over 200 seats, but in terms of vote share, we trail by merely 2.7 per cent. People have indeed voted for change, but election engineering has been ongoing in our country for quite some time."
Parwar alleged that the 11-party alliance, which included Jamaat-e-Islami, had filed formal complaints with the Election Commission (EC) regarding irregularities in 32 constituencies.
He claimed public perception of rigging was "deepened" by the government's publication of gazette notifications the night following the election.
"People believe that we were defeated through tampering and various mechanisms," he said. "There is no reason for us to be disheartened by these results."
This Jamaat leader also reported widespread violence against his party's activists and supporters following the election, contradicting expectations that the post-uprising political environment would end country’s "bad culture" of targeting defeated candidates.
"We had hoped everyone would move beyond this culture after the uprising," Parwar said. "But we are witnessing attacks on our workers and arson attacks on homes across the country."
He specifically cited incidents in Moshiali the previous night and in Dumuria earlier Sunday, urging BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman to intervene. "BNP leaders and activists have not yet stopped these actions," he added.
While calling for patience and unity among Jamaat workers, Parwar issued a warning. "If the situation does not stop, we will be compelled to take to the streets with the people."
He emphasised the party's preference for peaceful resolution but stressed preparedness for public mobilisation if violence persists.
Regarding vote recounts, Parwar explained that Jamaat's polling agents had submitted formal applications to returning officers. "There is a system for every process," he noted. "While it would be good for the DC to recount votes for everyone's satisfaction, certain legal procedures must be followed."
This rally was chaired by Upazila Ameer Prof A Alim Mollah.
District Jamaat leaders, including Ameer Maulana Emran Hussain, Secretary Munshi Mizanur Rahman and other officials, attended the event.
SMS/AM
