Army’s Role So Far Is Commendable: Jamaat Ameer

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has expressed satisfaction over the professionalism and activities of the Bangladesh Army in the ongoing election process. Speaking at an emergency briefing held in Mirpur, Dhaka on Thursday (February 12), he said that if the Army continues to play its current firm and neutral role until the end of voting, the nation will witness a free and fair election.

He stated that for the past one and a half decades, people in the country had been deprived of their voting rights and other fundamental rights. He expressed hope that through this election, citizens would regain those lost rights. He also noted that the presence of the Army has created confidence among general voters.

Describing the electoral situation, the Jamaat chief said that although voting in Dhaka-15 constituency has generally been peaceful, an unexpected situation arose at the Monipur High School (Girls’ Section) polling center in Mirpur. He alleged that individuals from rival groups intimidated voters there and physically harassed some of them.

He also accused BNP activists and supporters in different parts of the country of attempting to seize polling centers and create disorder. Citing examples from Laksam and Lalmohan in Bhola, he claimed that BNP-affiliated individuals directly interfered in the electoral process. However, he acknowledged that the timely intervention of the Army helped bring the situation under control.

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman warned that if any government is formed through fraud or irregularities, it would lack moral legitimacy and public acceptance. He urged the administration and security forces to remain stricter, particularly in areas outside Dhaka where irregularities have been reported, and called for rapid deployment of the Army in such locations.

In his concluding remarks, he instructed Jamaat leaders and activists across the country to remain patient and guard polling centers until the end of voting. He expressed hope that if voters are able to cast their ballots without fear, anti-democratic forces will be defeated and the country will move forward with a transparent and credible election outcome.