The secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami has vowed to return power to the people if elected, criticising Bangladesh’s political system as unbalanced and dominated by a single individual.

Mia Golam Porwar said a government formed by his party and its 10-party alliance would build an inclusive state. “We will build a fair, beautiful and inclusive Bangladesh together with everyone in the 10-party alliance, where the people will be the sole owners of all power,” he told an election rally in Chandpur on Saturday.

Speaking as chief guest at the rally at Chandpur Hasan Ali Government High School field, Porwar highlighted, “At present, one person simultaneously holds the responsibilities of prime minister, party chief and head of the national parliament — which destroys the balance of power.”

“Jamaat-e-Islami wants the prime minister not to be the party chief. This will bring transparency to the administration, reduce corruption and strengthen the state,” he added.

Porwar condemned what he described as extortion-based politics, saying it had intensified since August 5, 2024. “One party has made people miserable by extorting money at bus stands, CNG stands and various other places after August 5,” he said. “We don’t want to see any extortionist or criminal politics in this country.”

Turning to local issues, Porwar said the riverine district’s long-standing demands on erosion control, jobs, healthcare and higher education had repeatedly been ignored. “The people of Chandpur no longer want politics of promises; they want accountable and ethical leadership,” he said.

At the rally, he formally handed the party’s electoral symbol — the scale — to its nominated candidates for the Chandpur-3 and Chandpur-4 constituencies, Advocate Shahjahan Mia and Maulana Billal Hossain Miazee.

Advocate Shahjahan Mia said that if elected, he would work to improve healthcare, build a permanent campus for the science and technology university, complete the Chandpur Medical College building, construct durable embankments to curb river erosion and develop the Haimchar area.

Porwar ended by urging voters to back the scale symbol in the January 12 election to establish a “Bangladesh based on justice and fairness”.