Jamaat Urges CA to Legitimise July Charter Through Special Order

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has called on the Chief Adviser to give legal effect to the July Charter through a special executive order, arguing that such a step would be more credible and constitutionally sound than issuing a presidential order or passing an ordinance.

After a meeting with the Chief Adviser on Wednesday evening, Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said the Chief Adviser had assured them that the proposal would be carefully considered.

“We believe a special order is the most effective and transparent way to give the July Charter legal standing and to hold the next national election based on it,” Dr Taher said, stressing that Jamaat does not support any ordinance or presidential approach.

He explained that an ordinance would be a temporary measure and could face difficulties in gaining constitutional legitimacy later. “The referendum should also be conducted under this special order,” he added.

Dr Taher said the BNP initially opposed the idea of a referendum but later agreed to it, proposing that it be held simultaneously with the national election. However, Jamaat maintains that the two should be held separately — suggesting a referendum in November and general elections in February — noting that many of the referendum materials could be reused during the polls, thereby saving costs and time.

Highlighting concerns over administrative neutrality, the Jamaat leader claimed that 70–80 percent of officials in the Election Commission, Secretariat, and police remain loyal to a particular political party. He urged the Chief Adviser to introduce a lottery-based reshuffle of key administrative and law enforcement officials to ensure a level playing field for all political actors.

Dr Taher also expressed concern over what he described as deteriorating law and order in several parts of the country. Citing the recent incident in Kabirhat, Noakhali, he warned that such instability could undermine public confidence in the electoral process if not addressed promptly.

Jamaat leaders, including Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar and Assistant Secretary Generals ATM Masum and Rafiqul Islam Khan, accompanied Dr Taher during the meeting and the subsequent media briefing.

The July Charter — adopted through dialogue among major political parties — aims to lay the groundwork for reforms in the electoral system, governance, and accountability ahead of the next national election. Jamaat’s latest proposal seeks to institutionalise those commitments through executive action under the Chief Adviser’s authority.