Jamaat-e-Islami, one of the partners of BNP-led 20-party alliance, wants to withdraw from the decision of independent voting. As the registration is cancelled, the party will not be able to hold elections with the scale symbol.
In the current political situation, Jamaat is now thinking of voting for BNP's grain symbol.
According to the RPO, the nomination paper must be accompanied by the supporting signature of one percent of the electorate in order to hold a separate election. They have to provide detailed identification including voter number. The Jamaat fears that if any of the supporters are pressured to tell the returning officer that the signatures have been taken by force or the signatures are forged, then the nomination papers will be cancelled. Moreover, BNP is also encouraging the use of the symbol of a grain of rice. Oikya Front leaders, another partner of BNP, will not object to it. In this regard, Jamaat's central working council member Ehsanul Mahbub Zobair said that even if there is a party decision to hold elections under individual identity, it may change due to the environment. Like the other partners of the 20-party alliance, the Jamaat can also vote on the grain of rice symbol. Discussions are going on in the party forum.
Discussions are also going on with BNP. A decision in this regard will be taken before the deadline for filing nomination papers on November 28. It is known that Jamaat leaders have taken nomination papers for 64 constituencies. They want at least 35 seats in alliance. Jamaat's independent candidate can be seen in several constituencies if less seats are given. In addition, the secretary general of Jamaat in Dhaka-15 seat. Shafiqur Rahman will participate in the election as an alliance. Dhaka-15 is one of the seats that Jamaat will not concede. The leaders and activists said that they did not submit their nomination papers as they had not decided whether to participate in the election as an independent or a grain of rice symbol. Preparations are being made to vote on the grain of rice symbol. Party nomination letters signed by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir are being collected for Jamaat candidates. The party leaders said that a decision will be taken in this regard by November 27. A member of the working council of Jamaat said that the police and administration will not give concessions to anyone from Jamaat even if the BNP candidates get some concessions in the polling field. Therefore, if you choose the symbol of BNP, you will get some additional benefits. In case of individual identity election, you have to vote for each symbol in each constituency. He said that the party's heavyweight candidates are not on the ballot this time after being convicted in the case of crimes against humanity. Many former MPs are deceased or old. Party Amir Maqbool Ahmad is also not participating in the election. It is difficult to introduce new candidates to the electorate in their individual identity. Therefore, the district and upazila level leaders have given their opinion in favor of selecting rice grains. Jamaat leaders said that BNP is not willing to give more than 25 seats to Jamaat. A leader of Jamaat who participated in a recent meeting with the party said that 35 seats have been demanded by the alliance. In 2008, Jamaat was elected in 38 constituencies and got alliance nomination in 33 constituencies. This time he wants two more seats. If Jamaat elects in the grain of rice, the MPs and votes will go to BNP's house. So they think that BNP will agree to give up more seats.
Moreover, if Jamaat is an independent candidate, BNP candidate can remain as a rebel. But if the Jamaat votes on the symbol of a grain of rice, then the rebels will not be able to benefit. BNP leaders and workers will remain in favor of rice grains. Meanwhile, except for Jamaat, the remaining eight registered parties of the 20-party alliance have decided to participate in the polls with the grain grain symbol of BNP. Candidates of three registered parties of Ganaforum, JSD and Krishak Sramik Janata League of Jatiya Oikya Front, another alliance of BNP, will also be elected in the symbol of paddy. Executive President of Gano Forum Subrata Chowdhury said that Jamaat is not a united front but a partner of 20 parties. It is up to the members of the 20 teams to choose which symbol. Oikyafront has no objection to this.
