Jamaat-e-Islami has not yet revealed its position on whether national or local elections should be held first. There is no information whether the issue has been discussed in the internal forums of the party or not. However, a central leader said they respect public sentiment, whatever its nature. If the debate gains significant momentum, the party will discuss and reveal its position.
When asked about the issue, party publicity affairs secretary and central executive committee member Matiur Rahman Akand said, “In my personal opinion, national elections should come first. It will establish an elected government, which will then arrange for local government elections. Otherwise, the interim government will not be able to handle conflicts between candidates in different places over local government elections.
A recent survey by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) showed that about 65 percent of the people want local government elections before the parliamentary elections. Some political parties said that the question pattern may have influenced public perception reflected in the survey. Furthermore, people may express such opinions even in the face of the fact that they have been deprived of civic services.
Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) general secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince said, “I have no idea about the question pattern of the survey. The public is frustrated with local government services and this may have prompted some respondents to express such views. I see it as normal.
“However, national elections should be held first keeping in mind the current socio-economic and political reality. I believe that local government elections should be held after the electoral system is reformed.”