Jamaat Leader Calls for PR System, Decries “10 Motorcycles, 20 Thugs” Election Culture
Professor Mujibur Rahman, Naibe Amir (Vice-Chief) of Jamaat-e-Islami, has strongly criticized the prevailing electoral environment in Bangladesh, stating that the public no longer wishes to witness the “anarchic situation” symbolized by the phrase: “10 motorcycles, 20 thugs; the election’s cold.”
He made the comments today (Friday, October 31st) while addressing a free medical camp organized by the Kafrul North Thana unit of Jamaat in the playground of Sher-e-Bangla Government Primary School in Mirpur, Dhaka. The medical camp was part of the election campaign for the Jamaat-nominated parliamentary candidate for the Dhaka-15 constituency, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, the party’s Amir (Chief).
Demand for Fair Elections and PR System
Professor Rahman emphasized the urgent need to create a conducive electoral environment with a level playing field for all parties.
Mujibur Rahman stated: “We must first create an election environment in the country. This requires a level playing field for everyone. We must break away from the past negative culture of vote rigging, center occupation, and the use of illegal money in elections. The public no longer wants to see the anarchic situation of ’10 motorcycles, 20 thugs; the election’s cold.'”
He demanded an environment where the slogan “I will cast my vote; I will vote for whomever I please” can be realized. To achieve this, he advocated for a shift from the current system to the Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system, urging all citizens to remain united on the streets to achieve this demand.
Vision for an Islamic Welfare State
The Jamaat leader outlined the party’s vision should they come to power:
Rahman affirmed: “If Jamaat comes to power, an Islamic welfare state will be established through the rule of the Quran, where the rights of all people, irrespective of religion, caste, or ethnicity, will be guaranteed. The country will be free from hunger and poverty. Everyone must remain united to create a mass wave for the ‘Dāṛipāllā’ (Scale) symbol in the upcoming election to establish that dream state.”
The event was presided over by Rezaul Karim Mahmud, Amir of Jamaat’s Kafrul North Thana. Other speakers included Abdur Rahman Musa, Naibe Amir of Dhaka Metropolitan North, and Professor Jihad Khan, Central Majlish-e-Shura Member.
