People Do Not Believe Elections Will Take Place: Anisul Islam Mahmud

Anisul Islam Mahmud, Chairman of a faction of the Jatiya Party (Japa), expressed serious doubts over the credibility of the upcoming national elections.

“The Prime Minister’s advisers have stated that elections will be held in February. They claim it will be the most acceptable, impartial, free, and fair election in recent memory. But, in reality, the common people of the country do not believe it,” he said.

He made these remarks on Saturday while delivering the keynote speech at the Central Representative Meeting of the Jatiya Yuva Sanghati, held at Hawladar Tower in Gulshan, Dhaka.

Anisul Islam Mahmud emphasised the widespread doubt among citizens, saying: “Wherever I go, politicians and established members of society ask whether the elections will actually take place in February. This question alone reflects the deep scepticism people harbour regarding the upcoming polls.”

The former minister of Sheikh Hasina’s cabinet raised concerns about the neutrality of the administration, noting:  “According to government information advisers, all administrative positions have been divided between BNP and Jamaat. How can a free, fair, and impartial election be possible under such an administration?”

The Japa leader accused the government of failing to maintain law and order: “The country is currently experiencing ‘mob terrorism’. Speaking of free and impartial elections in such a perilous law-and-order situation is utterly laughable.”

Addressing potential constitutional reforms, Anisul Islam Mahmud warned: “Do not even think of amending the constitution by sheer force. Perhaps ten years from now, people will say—those who amended the constitution were criminals and must be held accountable. To change the constitution, an elected parliament is necessary.”

Japa (Anis) General Secretary ABM Ruhul Amin Hawladar reflected on the legacy of the 5 August student-citizen uprising: “Has the dream of the student-citizen revolution of 5 August been fulfilled? This question is now circulating in the minds of ordinary people.”

The meeting, presided over by Fakhrul Ahsan Shahjadar, Convener of the Jatiya Yuva Sanghati, was attended by senior party figures including Japa’s Senior Co-Chairman Kazi Firoz Rashid and Executive Chairman Mujibul Haq Chunnu, among other leaders.