THE religious ruse that Islamic parties keep using to curry votes questions the role of the Election Commission and the government, bringing to the fore their indolence and, perhaps, unwillingness to enforce the Political Parties and Candidates’ Code of Conduct 2025, which places a bar on the abuse of religious or racial sentiments, also online, for electoral gains. What is further worrying is that such exploitation of religious sentiment, mostly by parties such as Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh and Islami Andolan Bangladesh, is growing as the elections, scheduled for February 12, draw nearer, apparently riding on the inaction of the election authorities to enforce the code of conduct that the commission notified on November 10, 2025. The Election Commission also holds the authority to cancel candidature in the case of serious breaches, with a provision contained in the Representation of the People Order. Many instances of Islamic parties currying votes by exploiting faith have gone viral on social media. Some instances, being misogynistic, have reached such a height that they invade the tenets of democracy. Such a situation is largely blamed not only for undermining elections and democratic norms but also for fuelling social polarisation.
Whilst some have sought votes for Jamaat candidates to confirm a berth in heaven, the failure of which would harm their faith, some have said that there would be no symbol but the scales on the Day of Judgement. Whilst some have said that there is only one symbol in this election that represents Islam, referring to the symbol of the hand fan, some have sought votes for the symbol of the hand fan for peace in this world and salvation in the world hereafter. Whilst some have said that if Jamaat did not sell tickets to heaven, who else would, some have sought votes for Jamaat, arguing that the party should go to the parliament so that no ‘man-made laws’ exist. Critics say that the strategies of Islamic parties, including Jamaat, are consequent on invoking religious identity, which could destabilise the pre-electoral environment with fears, coercion and communal tension. Some argue that Islamic parties, especially Jamaat, are playing with people’s faith and religious sentiments to consolidate their voter base and to deflect the criticism of the political agenda and historical records of the parties. Some have not only played with religious sentiments but have also given partisan interpretations of religion, which is deceptive and unethical, to win votes.
All this also harms the tenet that Bangladesh is a land where many faiths and many cultures co-exist and where all communities have their full religious freedom. Such a proposition, if allowed to continue, could push the country into a serious crisis in future. The Election Commission, as well as the government, must make early interventions to stop such religious ruses in the elections.
