8 Political Parties Meet Election Commissioner Over 5-Point Demands Including November Referendum

Representatives from eight political parties, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, met with the Chief Election Commissioner on Thursday to push for the implementation of their five-point demands, including a referendum on the July National Charter by November. The meeting began at 1:30pm at the Election Commission's conference room in Agargaon, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

Besides Jamaat-e-Islami, the parties include Khilafat Majlis, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis, Jatiya Gonotantrik Party (JAGPA), Bangladesh Development Party, Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party, and Khilafat Andolan.

Post-meeting, leaders from the eight parties will present a memorandum to Chief Election Commissioner AAM Nasir Uddin outlining the demands.

The meeting included Chief Election Commissioner AAM Nasir Uddin, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, and four representatives from the eight parties.

Earlier, party leaders and activists began gathering outside the Election Commission building from 11:30am. From 10:30am, they marched from Agargaon Mor (Metro Rail Station) towards the commission.

The 8 Parties' 5-Point Demands:

1. Issue necessary constitutional orders for implementing the July National Charter and hold a referendum by November.
2. Introduce proportional representation (PR) in both chambers/high chamber for the next general election.
3. Ensure a level playing field for all to guarantee a free, fair, and acceptable election.
4. Visibly prosecute all fascist government atrocities, mass killings, and corruption.
5. Ban activities of the National Party and 14-party alliance, accomplices of authoritarianism.