Sammilita Islami Oikya Jote demands extending nomination filing deadline

Sammilita Islami Oikya Jote, an alliance of eight parties, has demanded an extension of the deadline for filing nominations for the upcoming national election by 10 days.

Many parties have not been able to prepare well, so it is necessary to delay the election and give them a chance to take part in the polls, said Khairul Ahsan, secretary general of Sammilita Islami Oikya Jote, during a press conference at the National Press Club on Monday.

Sammilita Islami Oikya Jote has announced they will participate in the upcoming 12th national election with candidates in 200 seats. If the Election Commission extends the schedule by 10 days, they hope to field candidates in 300 seats, said Khairul.

"We have decided to participate in the election to protect the sovereignty of the country, the constitution and democracy in this difficult time," he added.

Seven out of eight parties in this alliance are not registered with the Election Commission.

The alliance includes Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, Bangladesh Janaseba Andolon, Islamic Movement Bangladesh, Bangladesh Islamic Democratic Forum, Bangladesh Muslim Janata Party, Nezam-E-Islam Bangladesh and Bangladesh United Islamic Party.

In response to a question, Chairman of Bangladesh United Islamic Party Ismail Hossain said the only registered party in the alliance is a faction of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon.

Its chief is Shariat Maulana Abu Zafar Kashemi. However, they have not received any symbol yet as a case is ongoing regarding the matter, he added.

There is another registered political party of the same name, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, which secured "banyan tree" as the election symbol, but that is not a part of the Sammilita Islami Oikya Jote, Ismail Hossain said.

The 12th national election will be held on 7 January 2024. According to the announced schedule, the last date for submitting nominations for the election is 30 November 2023.