Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman has warned that his party could take to the streets if alleged attacks on alliance leaders and activists and claims of electoral irregularities are not addressed.
He made the remarks at a press conference at the party’s central office in Moghbazar on Friday night, after attending a meeting of the 11-party electoral alliance.
Addressing supporters who voted “yes” in the referendum and backed his party, Shafiqur Rahman said Jamaat had stood beside them before and would remain “even stronger” in the future. “If forced, we will also take to the streets,” he said.
The Jamaat chief alleged that the results in several constituencies had been manipulated and claimed that houses of leaders, activists and supporters linked to the alliance were attacked and vandalised in different parts of the country since Thursday night.
He warned that the party would take “tough decisions” if the situation was not resolved within a specific timeframe.
“There will be victory and defeat in elections, and that is normal,” he said. “But major discrimination and irregularities naturally raise questions.” He added that despite what he described as a positive stance from his party, incidents of arson, threats and intimidation were taking place, which he termed signs of “fascist behaviour”.
Shafiqur Rahman said those who secured a majority and intend to form the government must ensure peace and order. “They will have to take responsibility for the attacks, vandalism and intimidation,” he said.
Raising concerns about the counting process, he alleged that in some seats, candidates were leading by large margins but lost after delays in result announcements. “We have documents where result sheets were altered or erased in different places,” he claimed, adding that a “double standard” had been applied in certain constituencies.
Referring to several disputed seats, including that of Nasiruddin Patwari, he alleged that polling centres were captured and questioned what he described as inconsistent decisions by election authorities. He also mentioned the case of Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis Amir Maulana Mamunul Haque, asking whether “two laws” were being applied in one country.
The Jamaat Amir said candidates who felt deprived would seek legal redress. “If we get justice within a specified time, that is one thing. If not, we will be forced to choose our own path,” he said, urging the Election Commission to act fairly.
He further demanded that the results of disputed constituencies be suspended until complaints were resolved and alleged that information about loan defaulters had been concealed by some candidates, calling it a violation of electoral rules.
He hoped the Election Commission would take corrective steps to restore confidence in the process.