Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami will contest the next national parliamentary election without forming any alliance, party Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has announced.
He also claimed that the Awami League has no chance to participate in the upcoming polls.
Speaking to reporters at Sylhet Osmani International Airport on Wednesday morning (5 November), the Jamaat chief reiterated that the party will forcefully push for a national election in February 2026.
“We will ensure that the election takes place in February 2026 with participation from all, InshaAllah,” he said. “If the election is not held, the country may plunge into serious unrest.”
Dismissing the possibility of a pre-poll coalition, Dr Rahman said, “We have not decided to form an alliance, and we will not form any alliance. Instead, we will pursue electoral understandings. There will be only one box for each seat—that is the principle we are following. Alongside Islamic parties, patriotic and committed individuals from other backgrounds are joining. Our goal is to rebuild the country together.”
The Jamaat chief insisted that a national referendum must precede the general election.
“If there is no referendum first, on what legal or constitutional basis will the general election be held?” he asked. “This is why we demand that the referendum be held first, and that the July Charter secure legal recognition.”
In a sharp attack on the Awami League, Dr Rahman declared that the Awami League should be excluded from the electoral process.
“There is no scope for the Awami League to participate in the next election,” he asserted. “If they truly wanted an election, they had three previous opportunities—why did they waste them? They failed to prove that they believe in the electoral system. Now, forcing them into an election they do not want would be nothing but oppression.”
Referring to his recent overseas trip, he said Bangladeshi expatriates had shown overwhelming support.
“They embraced me with warmth and affection,” he said. “They have sky-high expectations and want to contribute to nation-building. They ask for nothing—only respect. Yet despite their enormous contribution, we have failed to give them the recognition they deserve.”
This is Dr Shafiqur Rahman’s first visit to Sylhet since being elected Ameer for a third consecutive term.
He is scheduled to attend a series of organisational programmes arranged by Sylhet district and metropolitan Jamaat.
Staff Reporter : 
