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Published : 11 Dec 2025, 09:27 PM
Several political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party, have welcomed the schedule announced by the Election Commission for the 13th parliamentary election.
The schedule dispels confusion over the election, said Jamaat.
On the other hand, NCP said it doubted the EC’s neutrality and the credibility of the election.
The parties’ reactions came immediately after the EC announced the schedule for holding the general election and referendum on implementing the July Charter on Feb 12.
“The nation has been waiting for the timetable of the election and the referendum for a long time. Uncertainty and confusion were there. Today’s announcement ended confusions,” said Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, assistant secretary general of Jamaat, in a media briefing.
“We have doubts that the Election Commission can act independently of party control,” said Nasiruddin Patwary, chief coordinator of the NCP.
He condemned the reshuffle of the administration “by lottery”, saying the process had never been properly explained to the country and its transparency was open to question.
The briefing was held at the party’s headquarters on Thursday.
Speaking at a press conference at his party office, Nasiruddin said: “We are participating in the election. [We urge] the people to go to polling centres. This is your right.”
While law-enforcing agencies lacked capacity, the NCP leader said their demand for reconstituting the EC had been ignored.
He, however, welcomed the move allowing Bangladeshi expatriates to vote.
“We have said earlier the election comes as a result of the ‘London deal’,” he said.
AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, another Jamaat assistant secretary general, urged the EC to ensure a level playing field for holding a credible election.
Jamaat was part of a platform comprising eight Islamist parties that pushed for a number of election-related demands, including the referendum happening before the election.
Other parties of the alliance are Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, Bangladesh Nezam-E-Islam Party, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA), and Bangladesh Development Party.
The parties also demanded electoral reforms such as the introduction of a proportional representation (PR) system.
The Communist Party of Bangladesh welcomed the election as well, urging the EC to act impartially.
Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur hoped the election would set a precedent.
The Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh and the Socialist Party of Bangladesh also welcomed the schedule and hoped the EC would overcome all the odds to hold a free, fair, and credible election.
