The Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Saturday said that it had accepted the overall outcome of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections and pledged to serve as a vigilant, principled, and peaceful opposition.
The party, however, alleged rigging in more than 30 constituencies and called for the suspension of election results and a recount of ballots in the constituencies.
Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman, in a statement posted on his verified Facebook account on Saturday, accepted the overall outcome of the polls and expressed gratitude to party volunteers and supporters for their tireless efforts during the election period.
He acknowledged that many activists felt hurt and disappointed by the results, but said that their efforts were not in vain.
Shafiqur said that securing 77 seats had significantly increased Jamaat’s parliamentary presence, calling it a strong foundation rather than a setback.
The party assistant secretary general Ehsanul Mahboob Zubayer, addressing a press conference in Dhaka on Saturday, alleged irregularities and rigging in 30 constituencies and said that official gazette of the lawmaker-elects had already been published in spite of their objections.
He demanded that those declared winners in these 30 constituencies through the official gazette be prevented from taking oaths until the alleged irregularities are resolved.
The Jamaat leader said that although the election had concluded, numerous instances of fraud and irregularities, including voter obstruction and removal of polling agents, had been observed, undermining expectations of a free and fair vote.
He alleged that result sheets had been tampered with, including overwriting and erasure, and that these issues were reported to returning officers and senior officials on the day of the election.
He said that Jamaat had lodged complaints with local returning officers and requested recounts, but results had already been gazetted.
Zubayer said that Jamaat would take legal action to suspend these results and prevent the swearing-in of elected representatives until recounts are completed.
In Dhaka-6, Jamaat’s candidate MA Mannan alleged that a private television channel prematurely declared his opponent, Ishraq Hossain, the winner before official counting was complete, which was unacceptable.
Jamaat assistant secretary general Moazzem Hossain Helal disclosed the 30 constituencies where alleged irregularities occurred.
They are Panchagarh-1, Thakurgaon-2, Dinajpur-3, Dinajpur-5, Lalmonirhat-1, Lalmonirhat-2, Gaibandha-3, Bogra-3, Sirajganj-1, Jashore-3, Khulna-3, Khulna-5, Barguna-1, Barguna-2, Jhalakathi-1, Pirojpur-2, Mymensingh-1, Mymensingh-4, Mymensingh-10, Kishoreganj-3, Dhaka-7, Dhaka-8, Dhaka-10, Dhaka-13, Dhaka-17, Gopalganj-2, Brahmanbaria-5, Chandpur-4, Cox’s Bazar-4, and Chattogram-14.
In his Facebook post, Jamaat chief Shafiqur stressed that democratic politics required patience, public trust and responsible preparation for the future.
He said that the party remained committed to strengthening democratic culture, safeguarding citizens’ rights and promoting a just and accountable state.
He reiterated Jamaat’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and contributing constructively to national progress while holding the government accountable.
The Jamaat leader also alleged that some party workers faced intimidation and harassment during the campaign but praised their courage and dedication to democratic participation.
‘Our movement has never been about a single election,’ he said, and added that Jamaat would continue pursuing principled and peaceful politics in the days ahead.
