DHAKA — Jamaat-e-Islami is preparing for the next national election with new outreach to young people, women and members of religious minorities, party leaders said, after the government announced February as the date of the vote.
The Islamist party is now putting election issues at the heart of all its regular programs, even as broader tensions persist between the government and political parties over reforms and other issues.
According to party sources, Jamaat plans seat-sharing with various parties and to field prominent figures as candidates. Before that, the party has announced its own initial candidates for all constituencies and is conducting heavy campaign work. The party has prioritized young, educated, honest and competent candidates. Alongside traditional outreach, campaigns now feature varied programs, with leaders emphasizing social media use and community service.
Jamaat candidates have drawn strong responses from ordinary voters across the country, including in the capital. Candidates and activists are working intensively to reach young people and women voters with the message of the party’s scales electoral symbol. They are listening to voters’ expectations and concerns while presenting their development plans. Jamaat candidates are active across constituencies through sports and cultural events, ceremonies honoring high-achieving students, exchanges with people from various professions and assistance to the poor. Banners, posters and festoons asking for votes for the scales symbol have been put up everywhere.
Women members of Jamaat have also been mobilized in election campaigning. The party is also giving importance to Hindus and other religious minorities. Chhatra Shibir and Chhatri Sangstha are also conducting their own activities to build public support for Jamaat. While these initial candidate announcements are widespread, party sources said some seats may see changes.
Election campaigning has taken on a different dimension in Khulna-5, the constituency of Jamaat secretary general Professor Mia Golam Parwar. A Hindu gathering held with Parwar on Oct. 31 has drawn political attention. Hindus from 14 unions joined a colorful procession with the scales symbol and musical instruments at Independence Square in Dumuria upazila.
“All those who have governed the country since independence have only used the Hindu community for their own gain,” Parwar told the rally. “This time, an Islamic government is needed for the welfare and infrastructure development of Hindus. This time the slogan of Hindus is: ‘All symbols are seen; Bangladesh of the scales.'”
The previous day, the women’s wing of Jamaat-e-Islami drew strong attention with a “Breast Cancer Awareness Camp” held in Dhaka and across the country. Parwar said at the event that if Jamaat comes to power, it will act as a servant rather than a ruler.
Jamaat candidates are also campaigning intensively in Dhaka constituencies day and night. They are conducting neighborhood outreach, distributing leaflets, greeting voters, and holding separate exchange meetings with various professional groups. On Friday, motor processions, calls to clean the Buriganga River and a friendly marathon by Dhaka candidates drew attention. The party said it tries to avoid public inconvenience during these outreach events.
Dr. Abdul Mannan, Dhaka-6 candidate and assistant secretary of Dhaka south metropolitan Jamaat, said: “We are going door-to-door. Men and women are doing outreach in separate groups. Every Friday, with permission from mosque officials, we speak. Campaigning is going on in markets and at courtyard meetings. Through small neighborhood gatherings we are presenting our development plans. We are also listening to people about what they want and what kind of MP they expect, and we are offering various assurances. Separate programs are being held with workers, students, teachers and others.”
Mannan said Jamaat’s positions against terrorism and drugs are being presented to voters, and there is also extensive online campaigning. Free medical camps and ambulance services are being run as part of community programs. Voters are growing optimistic about promises of a modern Dhaka, he said, though many are also asking for poll-day security including booth guarding amid concerns about fair voting.
Hasanul Banna Chapal, a Jamaat leader campaigning in Dhaka-16, said most young people are active on social media, and the party is using the medium accordingly. “Whatever activities are possible to reach young people are being done. Jamaat’s full manifesto is being presented to voters. Social and service activities are also being conducted. Various forms of help are being given to needy people. Candidates are maintaining regular contact with individuals and institutions,” he said. Nurul Islam Bulbul, central leader and candidate for Chapainawabganj-3, told a Chhatra Shibir welcome and career guidance event at Nawabganj Government College recently that “the new generation will lead the future change.”
Overall, Jamaat is running a festive ground-level campaign as candidates try to forge a new political culture beyond the conventional patterns and strengthen ties with young people, women and ordinary voters.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report