Jamaat Makes 'Ardent Appeal' for Votes in Bangladesh Polls

• Bangladesh's largest Islamic party, Jamaat-e-Islami, concluded its electioneering with a final appeal for votes ahead of the February 12 elections.
• Party chief Shafiqur Rahman urged voters to support their 'dari palla' (weighing scale) symbol, emphasizing the party's unblemished record on corruption and efficiency.
• Rahman assured minority religious communities of protection, stating, "This Bangladesh belongs to Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians."
• Addressing past controversies, Rahman pledged to ensure women's leadership in society and politics, evaluating their merit without discrimination.
• The party outlined a foreign policy prioritizing national interest, dignity, and development while building relations based on 'equal status' internationally.