After a meeting with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Nicole Chulick, on Tuesday (April 16), Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Shafiqur Rahman revealed that the party had expressed its desire for elections to be held before next Ramadan, which is expected to begin around mid-February.
"They wanted to know when we want this election. We said that the Chief Adviser of the government has stated his intention to hold the election by December this year or June next year. However, we want to see if the Chief Adviser sticks to his commitment," Shafiqur Rahman said.
The Jamaat leader emphasised that waiting until June poses significant risks due to potential natural disasters such as monsoon rains, storms, and other calamities. "If we wait until June, there is a risk that the election may not be held due to these challenges. We want the election to be held before Ramadan. That is our opinion," he added.
The meeting took place at 2:15pm at the residence of the US Deputy Head of Mission in Gulshan, Dhaka. Jamaat-e-Islami’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Parwar, was also present during the discussions.
Following the meeting, Shafiqur Rahman described the discussion as open and comprehensive. "They wanted to understand the political situation in Bangladesh, including when and how the elections will be held. All parties are demanding reforms, and we discussed how those reforms could be implemented and what our expectations are," he said.
During the meeting, Nicole Chulick inquired about Jamaat-e-Islami’s stance on economic and foreign policies, should the party come to power. The discussion also touched upon regional issues, minority rights, women's rights, and labour rights.
Shafiqur Rahman noted that Jamaat had requested the US to reconsider the imposition of a 37 per cent tariff on Bangladeshi exports, given the critical juncture the country is currently facing.
The Jamaat Amir iterated the party’s commitment to practicing democracy both within the country and within its own ranks. "We have made a commitment that we want to practice the same democracy within the country as we practice within the party. For this, we will do whatever is necessary," he stated.
On the issue of the Awami League, Shafiqur Rahman mentioned that while the trial of certain cases was discussed, Jamaat emphasised the importance of ensuring that any legal proceedings are fair and transparent.
The discussions highlighted Jamaat-e-Islami’s proactive stance on holding elections before next Ramadan, addressing reform demands, and fostering dialogue on regional and domestic issues. The meeting underscored the importance of international engagement as Bangladesh navigates its path toward democratic elections and stability.