Press Release
Under Democratic System, Elections Change the Face of the Ruler but Not the Fate of the People; only under Islamic System Elections will Reflect the Hopes and Aspirations of the People

Amid the ongoing fruitless debate on whether to reform first or to hold elections first, the interim government has reiterated its position on the preparation for local government and national elections (Daily Ittefaq, 08 January 2025). We also want to reiterate that under the current Western democratic-capitalist system, neither constitutional reform nor “fair and free elections” will change the fate of the people; moreover, the people are fed up and fed up with the electoral circus of changing the face of the ruling class, rather the people are demanding a comprehensive change in the current system of oppression. Because in a democratic system, the ruling class gains the sovereign power to enact laws through elections.

Therefore, for decades, the people have witnessed the changing face of the ruling class, but the ruling class has made laws according to their wishes and fulfilled their own interests, the interests of some capitalists and their foreign masters, but far from ensuring a comfortable life for the people, they not even ensured fundamental rights and justice. Rather, they have abused their power and oppressed the people, systematically plundered their wealth and impoverished them. Allah (swt) says,

[وَمَنْ لَمْ يَحْكُمْ بِمَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ]

“And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed – then it is those who are the wrongdoers [i.e., the unjust]” [Surah Al-Maidah: 45]. In the Islamic system, the power to legislate belongs to the Almighty Creator only; and the people elect qualified representatives to rule according to the law of Allah. As a result, a true balance is established between the lawmakers and the law enforcers and there is no room for tyranny on the part of the ruling class. Allah (swt) says,

[فَاحْكُمْ بَيْنَهُمْ بِمَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءَهُمْ عَمَّا جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ]

“So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth” [Surah Al-Maidah: 48].

O Muslims, a fair and meaningful electoral system will be established only under the Islamic system, i.e. the Khilafah (Caliphate) established upon the method of Prophethood. Under this system, there is no scope for the kuffar-colonialists, let alone for them to enact laws according to the convenience of any local vested interests. The Khaleefah (Caliph), the executive branch, and the judiciary will all be subject to the same law, which is sent and determined by Allah (swt). The ruler has no power to change the law, so the judiciary and the executive branches will be able to carry out their duties without any interference. On the other hand, the ruling authority belongs to the hands of the people. The people will be able to truly reflect their will and representation through elections and the electoral process.

The citizens under the Khilafah will enjoy true accountability and justice through directly elected regional assemblies (Majlis al-Wilayah) in each province (Wilayah). This assembly will elect a national assembly from among themselves, known as the Ummah Council (Majlis al-Ummah or Shura Council). They will account and advise the ruler at the national level. The non-Muslims (Ahlul Dhimmah) will elect their own representatives to the Wilayah Council, who in turn will elect their own members to the Ummah Council.

In the election of the Khaleefah, the Mahkamat al-Mazalim Court will examine the qualifications of those who have submitted their nomination papers for the position of Khaleefah and will grant clearance to the qualified candidates. The Ummah Council will then narrow down the list of candidates from among them to six and then two, as proven by the consensus of the Companions. In this process, the Khaleefah will be elected through the allegiance of the majority of Muslim voters. Because, if there were more than two candidates, the winning candidate would have received 30 percent of the votes; which is less than the majority. And if there were not more than two candidates, the winning candidate would always be elected by the majority of votes.

Thus, elections and the electoral process under the Khilafah system will bring justice, stability and harmony to the society. Therefore, there is true accountability and justice in the Khilafah system. So, wake up from the illusion of ‘free and fair elections’ under democracy and call for elections under the Khilafah Rashidah (rightly guided Caliphate) upon the method of the Prophethood.

[إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلاَّ لِلَّهِ أَمَرَ أَلاَّ تَعْبُدُوا إِلاَّ إِيَّاهُ ذَلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ]

“Legislation is not but for Allah. He has commanded that you worship not except Him. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know” [Surah Yusuf: 40]

Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir
in Wilayah Bangladesh