Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman spoke to journalists after arriving at the local parade ground in Chattogram. Photo: BSS

CHATTOGRAM, Nov 22, 2025 (BSS) - Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman here today expressed the apprehension that there would an "election genocide" if the proposed referendum and national polls are held on same day. 

Talking to journalists after landing at the local parade ground in the city from a chopper, he also feared a crisis in the country if next election is not held in time. 

The Jamaat chief arrived in the port city to attend the annual mahfil of Al Jamiatul Islamia Madrasha and to attend a party a meeting on preparations for next parliamentary election. 

He said that a level-playing field is a must for the sake of free and fair election which does not yet exists. "But we have to have it as soon as possible," he added. 

He said, "We are not talking about local government election now as it is not at all feasible at the moment." 
"We are not going to raise any imprudent and unjustified demand and will not do so. We do not want the victory of Jamaat-e-Islami but wand people's victory. Holding referendum on general election day will not be a wise decision as we suspects an "election genocide" if it is held on same day" he said. 
  
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman mentioned that Jamaat-e-Islami is open to electoral understanding with various parties and forces, even if they do not form an alliance. 

He said that Bangladesh is currently at a critical juncture in its history. 

He stressed the importance of capitalizing the opportunity for positive change created by historic July 2024 student-mass uprising and said: "We have failed to make use of opportunities time and again due to lack of honest and visionary leadership, patriotism and sincerity" . 

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman reiterated his party's stand in favor of proportional representation (PR) system in election, saying that Jamaat would introduce and implement the system if it comes to power in future. 

Replying to a query regarding party's agendas for the nation, he said that they have many plans and priorities to work on.

He mentioned that they do not have time to engage in negative interactions, respond to any types of twisting by others, rather they have now focused on their own goals.