Jamaat Demands Removal of ‘Partisan’ District Officials

The political atmosphere in Bangladesh has intensified as Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami formally requested the Election Commission (EC) to remove several District Commissioners (DCs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs). The party alleges that these officials, despite some being appointed via a lottery system previously advocated by Jamaat itself, are displaying “partisan bias” that threatens the integrity of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election.

A Reversal of Stance on Lottery Appointments

On Wednesday, 7 January 2026, a high-level Jamaat delegation met with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), AMM Nasir Uddin. The timing of the meeting is critical, as the national polls are scheduled for 12 February 2026.

Intriguingly, during a dialogue on 11 November last year, Jamaat’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Parwar, had originally proposed a “lottery system” for the transfer and appointment of field administrators to ensure neutrality. While the interim government implemented this lottery for SP appointments in several districts, Jamaat now claims the results have failed to eliminate political leaning. They argue that the current administration remains “politically compromised,” hindering the establishment of a level playing field.

Table: Jamaat-e-Islami’s Key Demands and Allegations

Allegations of Discriminatory Scrutiny

Following the meeting, Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Amir, Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, addressed members of the press, highlighting discrepancies in the nomination verification process. He claimed that officials reached “two different conclusions for identical scenarios,” citing this as clear evidence that DCs—who typically serve as Returning Officers—are acting under political influence.

“The level playing field we were promised has not materialised,” Dr Taher remarked. He further disclosed that he had personally contacted the Information Adviser regarding the monopolisation of campaign space by a particular political entity.

Security and National Stability

The party also raised grievances regarding candidate protection. According to Dr Taher, high-level security is being granted to certain individuals while other leaders of similar stature are left vulnerable. He warned the Commission that after the immense sacrifices of the July mass uprising, any attempt at an “arranged” or “fixed” election would plunge the nation into an existential crisis.

Jamaat’s pivot from supporting a lottery-based system to demanding a total administrative overhaul underscores the deep-seated mistrust currently pervading the electoral landscape. The Election Commission now faces the daunting task of proving its independence as the one-month countdown to the polls begins.