Government Views Opposition Election Role Narrowly, Says Jamaat-e-Islami Leader

Hamidur Rahman Azad, Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami, has criticized the government's assessment of opposition participation in the presidential election, labeling it as based on a "narrow political perspective."

Azad stated that the government views the opposition's involvement through a politically limited lens, rather than a liberal and democratic one. He raised concerns about the validity of oaths taken by opposition members in the Constitutional Reform Council, questioning how such oaths could remain valid if their participation in the presidential election, under the constraints of Article 70, is considered invalid.

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We want to know -- if this argument is acceptable, how does the oath taken as members of parliament remain valid? Because no parliamentary election was held through a constitutional process in 2026.

"We knew in advance what the outcome of the election would be. Even so, we participated to make our position clear to the people and strengthen the demand for democracy," Azad asserted. The presidential election had previously ignited debate surrounding Article 70 of the constitution, which mandates that a lawmaker's seat becomes vacant if they vote against their nominating party.

Jamaat-e-Islami had argued that retaining Article 70 would prevent lawmakers from voting freely in the presidential election. A writ petition challenging this provision was dismissed by the High Court on August 18. Azad concluded that the opposition's participation has renewed public awareness of the essential need for constitutional reform to ensure democracy in Bangladesh is effective, accountable, and sustainable.

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We knew in advance what the outcome of the election would be. Even so, we participated to make our position clear to the people and strengthen the demand for democracy.