Dhaka:Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has criticized Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami for not including women in its Central Executive Council, labeling it a violation of the Representation of the People Order (RPO), 1972.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, TIB emphasized that the creation of separate committees for women does not fulfill the legal requirement for their representation in political party committees. Section 90B(1)(b)(a) of the RPO mandates that political parties aim to reserve at least 33 percent of committee positions for women, with a gradual implementation target set for 2030.
The Central Executive Council for Jamaat-e-Islami's 2023-25 term, which consists of 19 members, currently has no women. Despite Jamaat's reports of having 21 women in its Central Working Committee and 122 in its Central Majlis-e-Shura, as well as a 43 percent female representation among its Rukons, TIB's research focuses on the absence of women in central or national executive councils.
Furthermore, TIB noted that Jamaat did not nominate any female candidates in the 13th National Parliamentary Election and lacks female representation in its top leadership positions. TIB conducted its research using internationally recognized social science methods and called for Jamaat and other political parties to implement institutional reforms as per the report's recommendations.