Jamaat tells EC why it lacks bank account
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has defended its failure to maintain a bank account for party finances over the past 15 years, citing a prolonged period of political repression and an “unfavourable environment” following the cancellation of its registration in 2013.
In a statement following a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Thursday, 21 August, Hamidur Rahman Azad, Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami, said the party was unable to operate normal institutional mechanisms, including bank accounts, during the years it faced state crackdowns, mass arrests, and restrictions on political activity.
“For the last 15 years, we were not allowed to live in our homes, let alone open a bank account,” Azad told reporters. “If we had tried, we would have been arrested at the bank counter. That is why the financial return we recently submitted does not include bank details.”
He added: “We will certainly include a bank account in our next audit report — when the environment allows.”
Financial report submitted, but no bank details
Jamaat-e-Islami recently submitted its income and expenditure statement for the 2024 calendar year to the Election Commission on 31 July, marking the first such submission since regaining its registration this year after the fall of the Awami League government in the July uprising.
The party reported an income of Tk 289.73 crore and expenditure of Tk 237.34 crore. However, the document notably omitted the bank name and account number, a requirement under the Election Commission’s party registration rules.
While the rules mandate that all registered political parties must operate through a designated bank account and disclose transaction details, Jamaat argues that compliance was impossible during the years of state suppression.
‘Where were we for 15 years?’
When questioned about the absence of banking records, Azad challenged journalists: “Why don’t you answer this yourself — where was Jamaat for the last 15 years? We were not functioning from offices. Our leaders were in jail, in hiding, or abroad. How could we open a bank account?”
He drew a broader analogy, asking how many people in earlier generations had bank accounts, noting that large financial transactions still occur in cash across Bangladesh.
“The Election Commission does not legally require a bank account just to maintain accounts. That decision lies with the party. We did include a bank account in our 2008 return — but you all know what happened in the country after that.”