Jamaat-e-Islami accuses govt of politicizing state institutions, demands EC official's removal

Jamaat-e-Islami has accused the current government of politicizing state institutions, alleging that party leaders and activists are being appointed to key positions despite pre-election promises to keep such bodies impartial. The party's Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, stated at a press conference in Dhaka that within five months of taking office, the government had begun placing BNP leaders and activists in constitutional, statutory, autonomous, and government bodies.

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Only the names have changed; the character has not.

Porwar claimed these appointments mirrored the politicization seen during the previous Awami League administration, asserting that "only the names have changed; the character has not." He further criticized the government for appointing BNP leaders and activists to city corporations, district councils, development authorities, and autonomous bodies instead of holding local government elections. "Although the BNP's slogan is 'Bangladesh First,' its actions suggest 'BNP First' has become the priority," he said.

The party specifically condemned the contractual appointment of Shamsul Alam as an additional secretary at the Election Commission Secretariat. Jamaat-e-Islami alleged that Alam had previously been involved with BNP activities and had served on a parliamentary constituency delimitation committee led by a BNP Standing Committee member. Porwar described the Election Commission as a highly sensitive constitutional institution, warning that appointing someone associated with BNP politics to a key position ahead of local government elections could erode public confidence in the polls.

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Although the BNP's slogan is 'Bangladesh First,' its actions suggest 'BNP First' has become the priority.

"Can the reappointment of a 67-year-old person associated with BNP politics to such a sensitive institution be acceptable in any way?" Porwar questioned. Jamaat-e-Islami demanded Alam's immediate removal, stating that opposition parties might reconsider their participation in local government elections if the appointment remained. The party also called for the cancellation of all politically motivated appointments and announced plans for further political programs if the government did not change course.

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Can the reappointment of a 67-year-old person associated with BNP politics to such a sensitive institution be acceptable in any way?