Jamaat-e-Islami Holds Massive Dhaka Rally Demanding Electoral Reforms Ahead of Bangladesh Election

Bangladesh's largest Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, held a massive rally in Dhaka at Suhrawardy Udyan, marking its first major assembly since 1971 and signaling a shift in the country's political landscape after the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024. The rally, chaired by party chief Shafiqur Rahman, drew hundreds of thousands of supporters and featured calls for a new Bangladesh governed by Islamic principles, anti-corruption measures, and electoral reforms, including the introduction of a proportional representation system. Jamaat-e-Islami presented a seven-point charter demanding justice for politically motivated killings and a fair, free election system ahead of the anticipated polls in 2025. The party, once banned under Hasina's administration, regained political registration following a Supreme Court decision, enabling its participation in upcoming elections. Jamaat leaders emphasized their commitment to fight corruption and pledged that if elected, party members would reject government privileges such as tax-exempt vehicles and direct handling of public funds. The rally also underscored Jamaat's close coordination with student movements that contributed to Hasina's removal and highlighted tensions with its traditional ally, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which opposes the proposed electoral changes.