Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Amir, Professor Mujibur Rahman, has said that local government elections must be held before the upcoming national parliamentary polls.

He made the remarks on Sunday (July 6) while speaking at a discussion organised to observe the holy Ashura at Purana Paltan in the capital.

Calling for justice, reforms, and the introduction of a proportional representation (PR) system ahead of the elections, Mujibur Rahman said, “The criminals must be brought to justice. Those who have not yet been tried should face speedy trials. Alongside justice, necessary reforms must be implemented.”

Justifying the demand for holding local elections first, he said, “A train runs on tracks. If the track is faulty, the engine is not placed at the front — instead, freight wagons are put ahead so that if an accident occurs, the engine remains unharmed. The engine is vital, and the national parliament is the most vital. If it gets damaged, the whole nation will suffer.”

He added, “If local elections are flawed, it won’t impact the nation as severely. Local polls must be held before the parliamentary elections to test and evaluate the electoral process.”

Mujibur Rahman also said, “True democracy will never be established in Bangladesh as long as anti-democratic forces — who once blindly served the previous regime — remain in place. We will not tolerate injustice or oppression in Bangladesh. There will be no room for extortionists or tender manipulators.”

Presiding over the event, Jamaat-e-Islami Central Executive Council member Md Nurul Islam Bulbul said, “Through the July Movement, the people of this country were freed from the hands of an oppressive ruler. If anyone once again plays with the lives of the people, another July will return to this country.”

Also present at the event were Jamaat Central Working Committee member Advocate Helal Uddin and Central Majlis-e-Shura member Abdul Mannan, among others.