NCP for polls only after electoral reforms

The National Citizen Party has urged the Election Commission to hold the next general election only after the final recommendations made by the National Consensus Commission on electoral reforms are implemented.

NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari believes it is possible to implement the reforms and hold elections within the timeframe set by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.

He made the remarks while briefing the media after meeting Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission (EC) headquarters in the capital's Agargaon yesterday.

A five-member delegation met with the CEC to discuss a range of issues. Over the two-hour meeting, NCP representatives engaged in discussions on party demands, registration deadlines, and other election-related matters.

Referring to a letter sent to the EC on Thursday, in which NCP sought an extension of the deadline for new political party registration, Nasiruddin said the party demanded that the Election Commission hold the election following reforms in line with the public demand.

He said the EC should depend on the National Consensus Commission's full report on electoral reform.

Nasiruddin said once finalised, the government would forward the final report to relevant constitutional bodies, and the NCP expects full implementation. "We discussed the electoral system in our meeting with the commission and insisted that the final report be enforced."

He emphasised that "every page, every word" of the reform report must be translated into rules and policies to guide the next election. "The CEC agreed—there must be alignment with the commission. Without it, trust is impossible."

He also criticised past manipulation of elections, stating, "For the last 15 years, the process has been engineered. We want that to end in a new Bangladesh."

The NCP has called for an investigation and accountability for those involved in the last three national elections.

Nasiruddin said, "The Awami League had pushed the country and its institutions into a fascist framework, stripping the people of their right to vote. The Election Commission also shares responsibility for this. Those who contested in the past three elections, as well as the EC officials and staff involved, must be investigated through proper procedures and brought to justice—so that no constitutional institution or individual can side with any political party in the future."

He also said that over the past 15 years, people's right to vote was taken away. Through fraud and manipulation, Bangladesh was transformed into a fascist structure—and the Election Commission played a significant role behind that fascist framework.

"We want a new, transparent electoral path for Bangladesh."

NCP'S NINE DEMANDS

The NCP leader said that they have raised nine demands with the CEC. These are: candidates must submit their nomination papers in person, certification of the election by the EC within 48 hours, investigation of candidates' affidavits to verify their authenticity, amendments to the code of conduct and expenditure rules, stopping loan defaulters from participating in elections, cancellation of candidacy if false information is found in the affidavit, and ensuring they cannot hold office even if elected, ensuring voting rights for expatriates, extending the deadline for political party registration, and monitoring political parties to ensure they practice internal democratic processes.

He also said that if these demands are not implemented, it will not be possible to participate in the election or exercise the right to vote.

EC EXTENDS PARTY'S REGISTRATION DEADLINE

Yesterday, the EC extended the deadline for new political party registration by two months, setting it for June 22. The original deadline was April 20.

"Until Thursday, seven parties applied for registration and 20 others sought an extended deadline. Under these circumstances, the time for securing registration has been extended," EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told reporters at the EC headquarters yesterday.

He said the parties seeking registration need to apply within the extended deadline, fulfilling the related legal requirements and exhausting the procedures.