Jamaat flags ‘biased’ extra security for ‘rival leader’, urges equal protocol for its chief

Jamaat’s deputy chief says similar treatment must be ensured for their leader to uphold “electoral equality”

Jamaat-e-Islami has accused the government of violating the principle of electoral equality by providing extra security and protocol to a top leader of another party during the election period, calling the practice “openly discriminatory”.

Speaking outside the State Guest House Jamuna on Sunday after a meeting with the chief advisor, Jamaat deputy chief Mohammad Taher also alleged a lack of neutrality among field-level officials.

The officials included superintendents of police (SPs) and deputy commissioners (DCs) acting as returning officers, he said.

Taher said over the past two to three weeks, one party’s leader has been receiving heightened security and special protocol.

He said the party had sought the chief advisor’s intervention if the Election Commission fails to take appropriate action.

He stressed that Jamaat does not object to anyone receiving security or protocol, but demanded equal treatment for all major political parties.

“As a major political party, the same kind of behaviour must be ensured towards the [chief] of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami,” Taher said.

“Otherwise, it will be considered biased conduct.”

He warned that if the Election Commission fails to take effective steps against such discrimination, the nation will view it as a partisan offence, and the principle of equal opportunity in the election will collapse completely.

As Jamaat leaders presented their objections before the chief advisor, a BNP delegation also lodged complaints with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged that some Election Commission officials were working in favour of a particular party, though he did not name it.

Taher claimed that bias within the local administration appeared to favour the BNP.

“Across the country, administrative conduct is now visibly tilted towards the BNP,” he said. “A lack of neutrality is particularly noticeable among SPs and DCs posted at the field level.”

Taher said Jamaat is preparing a list of such officials.

“For now, the matter is under observation, and no written complaint has yet been filed,” he added.