Online Desk: Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh has suggested the Europan Union (EU) ‘not to send’ observers if the next general election is held under the present Awami League government. According to the party, it would not be wise for the EU to monitor the ‘one-party election.’

Jamaat made the suggestion while holding a meeting with the visiting Election Exploratory Mission of the EU at Gulshan in Dhaka on Saturday. A four-member delegation of Jamaat-e-Islami led by the party’s Nayebe Amir Abdullah Mohammad Taher took part in the hour-long meeting with the EU delegation.

Later, Jamaat amir told journalists that they (EU delegation) wanted to know how do “we see the issue of sending election observers.” “We told them that Jamaat-e-Islami welcomes sending any observer to monitor election in Bangladesh if it is an election at all. And, if it is going to be a farce in the name of election, there is no need to send observers,” he said.

The Jamaat chief said he told the EU delegation that they ought to consider it first whether they would feel honoured if they come to monitor an “illegal” election in Bangladesh. “So, we will welcome if you send observers to monitor the next general election if it is held under a non-party government. But, it would not be pragmatic if you somewhat approve the election results coming to monitor a one-party farcical election in Bangladesh.”

Asked whether Jamaat would take part in the election under the present government, Taher said it was proved in 2014 and 2018 that ‘free and fair ellections are impossible under a party-led government.” He said the next general elections must be held under a neutral government — whether it is a caretaker government or non-party government. Beyond it, the people of Bangladesh will not take part in any election under a party government in any way.

Referring to the issue of not allowing Jamaat-e-Islami to hold a rally in Sylhet city, he said: “We hoped that the government has, at least, become somewhat democratic in attitude and show respect to other’s rights. But, the last night;s incident in Sylhet exposed the government’s fascist and autocratic attitute once again. The government is not allowing the political parties to hold meetings four months ahead of the next general election. They are not allowing us to open all of our offices. “In such a situation, we don’t hope that there will be a free, fair and impartial general election in Bangladesh. We have been telling them it clearly.”