EC orders security for Jamaat amir, six other top leaders

The Election Commission on Tuesday directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to take necessary measures to ensure the personal security of seven senior Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, including the party amir, ahead of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections and referendum.

The instruction was issued in a letter sent to the senior secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs and signed by Mohammad Monir Hossain, deputy secretary of the Election Management-02 branch of the Election Commission.

According to the letter, Jamaat-e-Islami’s assistant secretary general and head of the central publicity and media department, Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, formally requested security for the party’s top leaders and parliamentary candidates. 

Following the application, the Election Commission asked the authorities to take appropriate steps to provide security.

The leaders named in the directive are Jamaat amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman; nayeb-e-amir Dr Syed Abdullah Md Taher; nayeb-e-amir ATM Azharul Islam; secretary general Professor Mia Golam Parwar; nayeb-e-amir Professor Mujibur Rahman; assistant secretary general Dr Hamidur Rahman Azad; and assistant secretary general Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan.

The Election Commission said ensuring the safety of candidates and political leaders during the election period is a key component of holding a free, fair and credible election. The directive to the Home Ministry was issued as part of that responsibility.

The 13th National Parliament election and referendum are scheduled for February 12. 

The Election Commission, along with law enforcement and other relevant agencies, is currently working to maintain law and order across the country and ensure the security of candidates during the election period.