Bangladesh Election: Bangladesh’s largest Islamic party ‘Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’ did not get any relief from the Supreme Court to contest the upcoming elections. A 5-member team of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Obaidul Hasan gave the verdict against Jamaat-e-Islami. According to news agency AP, the court bench said, “Jamaat-e-Islami does not believe in the Constitution and secular status of our country.”
In 2013, the country’s top court had banned the party from participating in elections citing secularism. After this the Election Commission immediately canceled the registration of the party. The court had ordered that the party be banned from participating in elections and using its election symbol, however, the court did not give any decision regarding banning the activities of the party.
Can opposition parties boycott elections?
In view of the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, many opposition parties of Bangladesh may boycott the elections to be held in January 2024. The opposition says that fair elections can never be held in the country with the Awami Party and Sheikh Hasina in power.
What is the history of Jamaat-e-Islami?
Jamaat-e-Islami is the largest Islamic party in Bangladesh and the fourth largest party in the country. This party was against the separation of Bangladesh from Pakistan. For the first time the party took part in the general elections of 1978. In 1986, 18 candidates of the party reached Parliament. Joined the government for the first time in 2001 with BPNP.
Many leaders of the party were accused of committing atrocities on the people during the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971. Since the end of military rule in 1990, many leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami have been accused of war crimes. In a court hearing in 2010, party leaders were found guilty of war crimes.
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