Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, said on Friday that the chief adviser’s recent speech showed clear favouritism towards a single party.

He claimed the current government can no longer be considered neutral and warned that holding a referendum and the national election on the same day would be a trap.

Taher made the remarks at a press conference at Jamaat-e-Islami’s central office in Moghbazar, Dhaka, responding to the chief adviser’s speech.

Eight political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, held a joint conference to express their reactions.

The leaders expressed distrust regarding the neutrality of the current government and the upcoming national election.

Taher said, “If a referendum is held before the national election, similar to university student union elections, one party will inevitably lose. That is why the government scheduled both on the same day.”

The parties demanded separate dates for the referendum and the national election and called for the resignation of the three advisers.

They also urged the appointment of impartial officials in the administration to ensure a fair electoral process.