As the crucial general elections are underway in Bangladesh, the radical Jamaat-e-Islami and its chief Shafiqur Rahman, is reportedly using religion and financial incentives to lure voters in its bid to form the country’s first Islamist-led government.
As per reports, the Jamaat-led alliance has reportedly distributed pamphlets nationwide, offering 15,000 taka per vote. These leaflets claim that families voting for the party will be “free of sin” in the afterlife and promised “salvation from grave punishment.”
In one pamphlet, voters were instructed to carry a camera phone to the polling booths and photograph their stamped ballot papers as proof that they voted for 67‑year‑old doctor and Jamaat‑e‑Islami party chief Shafiqur Rahman.
According to a report, the leaflet read, “Assalamu Alaikum. You are surely aware that to ensure the victory of Islam in the upcoming National Parliament election, Ameer-e-Jamaat Shafiqur Rahman must be elected in the Dhaka-15 constituency.”
It said that Jamaat workers have already collected the “Voter ID number and bKash-linked mobile number” of voters, and to receive the promised 15,000 Taka for “voter allowance and travel expenses”, they would have to show proof that they voted for the party.
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The leaflet further read, “You must fulfil the promise of having all family members vote for the “Dari Palla” (weighing scale) symbol. This promise will make your afterlife free of sin and grant salvation from grave punishment. You must go to the centre early on election day, and must bring a camera phone so that you can take a photo after stamping the ballot as proof.”
“After voting, exit the centre and hand over your Voter ID card to our designated representative and show the photo of the stamped ballot,” it added.
The party promised that the 15,000 Taka would be paid to voters via bKash or in cash after the election results. Some voters were also offered advance payments through bKash.
The party also instructed voters regarding the referendum, telling them to vote “Yes” and photograph their stamped ballot.
As per the report by NDTV
