Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has said his party will not compromise on any major issue affecting the country’s democratic process, particularly the right to vote, as polling took place in the Dhaka-15 constituency. Speaking to journalists on Thursday morning after casting his ballot at Manipur High School in Mirpur-2, Rahman stressed that while minor matters could be overlooked, fundamental principles would not be negotiable.
Rahman, who is contesting as a candidate of the Jamaat-led 11-party electoral alliance, said his political journey had included imprisonment during previous election periods in 2014, 2018, and 2024. He described this year’s vote as a significant opportunity, expressing gratitude for being able to participate and voicing hope that the election would mark “a new chapter” in Bangladesh’s political landscape.
He emphasized that many young citizens had never previously experienced voting and had long awaited the chance to exercise their democratic rights. He called for the election to be peaceful, fair, conflict-free, and acceptable to all stakeholders, saying such conditions were essential to restoring public confidence in the electoral process.
According to Rahman, the goal of the vote should be the formation of a government representing the country’s entire population rather than any individual, family, or political group. He said the nation must be built collectively and urged the media to play a constructive role in that effort, adding that democracy’s strength lies in public acceptance of impartial election results.
Addressing citizens directly, he called on voters to come out of their homes, cast their ballots, and take pride in participating in nation-building. He also criticized what he described as inconsistent portrayals in media coverage, warning against labeling actions as criminal without justification while maintaining that genuine wrongdoing must be opposed regardless of who commits it.
Election Commission data shows voting is being conducted across 137 centers in the Dhaka-15 constituency, with a total of 351,718 registered voters. Among them are 179,616 male voters, 172,098 female voters, and four voters identified as third gender. Eight candidates are contesting the seat, representing a range of political parties and symbols, making the race one of the closely watched contests in the capital.
The outcome of the Dhaka-15 vote is being seen by observers as an important indicator of public sentiment and the credibility of the electoral environment, amid heightened attention to participation, fairness, and political inclusivity in Bangladesh.
