Mamunul Haq Voices Concerns Over Fair Election Landscape

Maulana Mamunul Haq, the Amir of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis and Joint Secretary General of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, has expressed profound reservations regarding the integrity of the upcoming 13th Parliamentary Election. Speaking at a media exchange held late on Sunday night, 4 December, at the Dawatul Quran Madrasa in the Bhuigarh area of the Dhaka-Narayanganj Link Road, the prominent cleric highlighted a perceived bias within the state apparatus. He asserted that a significant number of officials from the previous “fascist” administration remain entrenched within the bureaucracy, creating an environment that is historically hostile towards Islamic political entities.

The Maulana’s primary concern revolves around the establishment of a “level playing field,” a term used to describe an electoral environment where all parties enjoy equal opportunities and neutral administrative treatment. According to Mamunul Haq, the presence of remnants from the former regime poses a direct threat to the fairness of the polls, as these individuals often maintain a stance that is diametrically opposed to the interests of Islamist parties. His comments suggest a deep-seated mistrust in the current administrative transition and a fear that institutional biases may skew the results of the forthcoming vote.

Addressing queries regarding the complex nature of political alliances, Mamunul Haq clarified the current strategy of the Islamist bloc. He noted that while a formal “grand alliance” has not been established, a strategic “seat-sharing” agreement is in progress. The objective, he explained, is to consolidate the Islamist vote under a “single ballot box” policy to maximise electoral impact. Despite rumours of internal friction, he maintained that no significant disputes have arisen and that the final list of constituency allocations would be announced centrally in the near future.

The discussion also touched upon local tensions in the Narayanganj-4 constituency, where reports suggested that the Metropolitan President of Jamaat-e-Islami had conceded the seat to the National Congress Party (NCP). Mamunul Haq dismissed such reports as “personal opinions” lacking any official basis. He reiterated that local leaders do not possess the authority to finalise seat-sharing deals, as such decisions are strictly the prerogative of the central leadership. He confirmed that Khandaker Anwar Hossain of the Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis currently remains the top-tier candidate for that specific seat.

Key Electoral Figures and Seat Allocations