Calling on all to remain “united in the national interest,” Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman today urged political actors to refrain from attacking one another and instead take their own programmes to the people.

He made the remarks while speaking to journalists this morning at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, ahead of his election campaign across eight districts in the northern region.

“The people will accept, endorse and show their love for whomever they support with their precious votes. All of us should respect that,” the Jamaat ameer said.

Following the allocation of election symbols, candidates and their supporters entered the final phase of campaigning from yesterday.

On the first day of campaigning, the BNP sought to target its rivals with allegations, while Jamaat and the NCP responded in a similar manner. At the same time, candidates and their supporters reached out to voters with a range of promises.

Jamaat formally launched its campaign yesterday through a public rally in Dhaka’s Mirpur. Shafiqur Rahman is contesting from Dhaka-15.

As part of the campaign, the Jamaat ameer is travelling to Panchagarh today. After a rally there at 11:00am, he is scheduled to address gatherings in Dinajpur, Thakurgaon and Rangpur. On Saturday, he will visit Gaibandha, Bogura, Sirajganj and Pabna.

“Everyone should refrain from any dishonest intent to influence the election outcome through alternative means. No one at any level of the state should be involved in such actions,” he said at Dhaka airport.