Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher-File Photo

DHAKA, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher today said his party hopes that the country will witness a free, fair and neutral general election on February 12.

"We are hopeful that an acceptable, free and neutral election will be held in Bangladesh on February 12," Taher told reporters after a meeting between a Jamaat delegation and Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the state guest house Jamuna.

He said for a long time there had been speculation that no election would be held in February 2026, but the spontaneous submission of nomination papers by all political parties has proved those claims baseless.

The Jamaat leader said a four-member delegation led by Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman met the Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus at the state guest house Jamuna at 6:17 pm today.

Taher said Jamaat has long been demanding the installation of CCTV cameras at polling centres and expressed satisfaction as the Chief Adviser assured them that a recent cabinet meeting had approved the decision with necessary budget allocation.

"CCTV cameras will be installed at every polling centre. If implemented properly, this will be a significant and positive step," he said, adding that Jamaat thanked the Chief Adviser for the initiative.

On election-day security, Taher said the party clearly stated that no members of the army or law enforcement agencies, including police, RAB or Ansar, should be deployed inside polling centres, as it could affect voters' privacy and create fear among them. 

He said the Chief Adviser assured them that law enforcement agencies would remain outside polling centres to maintain law and order.

Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer also stressed that a level playing field must be ensured not just close to polling day, but from the very day the election schedule was announced. 

"We are seeing that some are being given extra facilities while others are not. As a contesting political party, we are only demanding equality," he said.

Taher said Jamaat has already observed some worrying trends during the nomination scrutiny process, noting inconsistencies in Election Commission decisions over similar cases, particularly regarding loan default and dual citizenship issues.

"We are hearing that pressure is being exerted by a particular party so that some nominations are not cancelled despite irregularities," he said, adding that all decisions must be taken strictly in line with the Representation of the People Order (RPO), regardless of party affiliation.

"If the commission bows to pressure, it will raise serious questions about its neutrality and capability, and public confidence in a fair election will be undermined," he added.

He also claimed that partisan behaviour has been observed among some deputy commissioners and superintendents of police serving as returning officers in the field, adding that Jamaat is monitoring the situation and has verbally informed the Election Commission.

Taher said Jamaat urged the Chief Adviser to intervene if the Election Commission fails to act impartially, expressing confidence that Professor Yunus personally wants a free and fair election.

Other members of the Jamaat delegation included Secretary General and former lawmaker Mia Golam Parwar and Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan.