Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman spoke at a press conference held at the party's central office in the capital at night. Photo: Video Screenshot

DHAKA, Feb 12, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur 
Rahman today said his party does not want a return to the "old political 
culture", stressing that Jamaat seeks to pursue a constructive and people-
oriented brand of politics.

"We don't want to go back to the old political culture. We want to practice 
positive politics," he said at a press conference held at the party's central 
office in the capital at night.

Dr Rahman said politics must serve the people, and those engaged in it should 
accept that no election comes with a guarantee of victory. "One has to go to 
the people with one's message. However, much they accept it, that should be 
welcomed," he said, adding that winning and losing are natural in a 
democratic process.

Thanking voters for participating in both the referendum on reforms and the 
parliamentary election held on the same day, the Jamaat chief said the party 
had learned that more votes were cast in favour of the reform proposal, 
though the result has not yet been officially declared.
 
Dr Shafiqur congratulated citizens for their active participation after a 
long interval in such a dual electoral exercise. Referring to the 
parliamentary polls, he said the main contest was between two alliances, and 
Jamaat had conducted its campaign from the beginning of the electoral 
process.

"In a normal election, not everyone wins. Some will win, some will lose-that 
is the beauty of democracy," he observed.

However, Dr Rahman voiced concern over delays in announcing results in 
several constituencies. He said although counting had been completed in some 
seats where Jamaat candidates were leading according to signed copies of 
results in their possession, returning officers had yet to make formal 
declarations.

"We are seeing various explanations being offered locally, including the need 
to verify postal ballots. We do not yet have a clear message," he said, 
adding that the party would wait for the Election Commission's official 
announcement, which authorities had indicated would be made by February 13.

He also questioned why certain constituencies, including Dhaka-8, remained 
undecided, and noted that updates on the official website had at one point 
appeared and then disappeared. 

Party representatives were kept waiting for extended periods, he said, while 
only preliminary, non-official results from a limited number of centres had 
been announced.

Despite these concerns, the Jamaat Ameer said the party would not engage in 
"opposition for the sake of opposition." Citing a verse from the holy Quran, 
he said the party would cooperate in good initiatives and oppose actions 
deemed harmful to public welfare. "If there are small irregularities, we will 
not create unnecessary disputes. But if there are significant issues, we will 
bring them before the nation," he said.

Responding to questions about possible irregularities, Dr Rahman said the 
party would refrain from making definitive comments until all information was 
compiled. Leaders of the 11-party alliance would sit together, review data 
and then present a consolidated position.

He reiterated that unofficial primary results cannot be treated as final 
until gazetted, and said Jamaat remains in contact with concerned returning 
officers regarding delayed announcements.

Expressing gratitude to voters for their support, Dr Rahman said the party 
would share its final assessment once the government publishes the official 
results. "Our politics will remain positive-politics for the welfare of 
people, not for the party alone," he added.