NCP demands reconstitution of the EC

Citing a lack of confidence in the Election Commission, the National Citizen Party yesterday demanded an immediate reconstitution of the commission.

As part of the process, the party also called for considering the proposed Electoral Reform Commission's recommendations.

Blaming the EC for creating a "complicated political situation centring the illegal election" of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) in 2020, the newly formed party urged the interim government to conduct local body polls without delay.

To realise its demand, the NCP's Dhaka city unit will hold a protest rally in front of the Nirbachan Bhaban at Agargaon at 11:00am today.

The announcement came from a press conference at Rupayan Tower in the capital's Banglamotor. Party leaders, including NCP convener Nahid Islam, member secretary Akhter Hossen, and chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, spoke.

The NCP demanded the EC's reconstitution, saying that "the EC neither contested nor appealed in the case filed over the DSCC's mayoral post". The party alleged that the EC was clearly taking the sides of a party and a candidate.

The party came up with the demands and programmes while supporters of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain were demonstrating in front of Nagar Bhaban, demanding that he be sworn in as mayor of DSCC.

"We believe the biased role of the Election Commission is responsible for the situation," said the statement which Akhter read out.

Akhter said services were being disrupted due to the absence of an elected public representative.

"It is evident that the biased Election Commission, formed under fascist laws, is incapable of holding local government elections. Therefore, we urge the interim government to immediately consider the proposals of the reform commission, reconstitute the Election Commission, and take steps to hold the polls without delay," said Akhter.

At the briefing, Nahid said, "...It's very clear that they [EC] are taking sides with a particular party and a particular candidate. And there's no guarantee they won't do the same when such crises arise in future … That's why we cannot keep our trust in this Election Commission.

"If our demands are ignored, we will intensify our movement accordingly, but we will do so through democratic means."

He further said, "As a major and established political party, people expect a certain level of maturity from them. But they are failing to demonstrate that.

"Shahbagh and the Nagar Bhaban are being blocked, and threats are being made to lay siege to Jamuna… In various ways, efforts are being made to destabilise the country. That's why I would urge everyone to step back from such positions."

Nahid also called on political parties to resolve the crisis through dialogue.

The NCP in its statement said, "Despite being a defendant in the case of Ishraque Hossain vs Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and others, the Election Commission unprecedentedly chose not to contest the case. As a result, a one-sided verdict was delivered. It also did not appeal to the higher court against the verdict, which gave special privileges to the complainant."

The NCP added that the EC was making statements that appeared to align with the position of a major political party rather than that of neutrality.

The party said that even before the delivery of judgment in the case, a DSCC administrator was appointed under the relevant law on August 19, 2024, rendering the entire case "ineffective".

Although the EC later sought the law ministry's opinion on gazette publication, it hastily issued the gazette before receiving the ministry's response, alleged the NCP.

"The overall role of the Election Commission in this matter was clearly biased," he added.

Responding to a question from journalists, NCP leader Nahid said local government elections should be held immediately as a "critical situation" has arisen in the country.

"It is not possible for this Election Commission to hold the local government polls. We cannot place our trust in them because they are acting in a biased way. They have not considered the reform proposals, and there are flaws in the process through which the Election Commission was formed."

"Candidates from those illegal elections are now moving to courts -- for a bit of power, for a post. This has created a crisis-like situation. So, to get rid of this situation, local government elections must be held.

"This government, this administration, and the Election Commission will also be tested on how capable they are to hold a fair election."