NCP will sign July Charter only after its implementation is guaranteed: Akhter

The National Citizen Party (NCP) will sign the July Charter only after receiving full assurance that it will be implemented, according to the party’s Member Secretary, Akhter Hossen.

Speaking to reporters after the party met with the National Consensus Commission on Saturday, Akhter said: “We believe signing the July Charter is nothing but a ceremonial act. That alone cannot guarantee the charter’s actual implementation."

“The NCP would be keen on signing the July Charter only when its implementation is fully ensured.”

The July Charter signing ceremony took place on October 17 at the South Plaza of the Parliament, with leaders from more than 30 political parties attending the event.

Of the 30 parties and alliances involved in the dialogue, 25 signed the charter, committing to implement the reform decisions of the consensus panel.

The NCP, however, did not sign the charter, saying that it saw a lack of clarity in the implementation framework. Four other parties followed suit, raising objections on various issues.

Following this, the Consensus Commission held a meeting with experts on Wednesday over the implementation of the July Charter.

The day after the July Charter signing ceremony, NCP Convenor Nahid Islam held a press conference and said the NCP refrained from signing the July Charter as no legal basis was provided for it, while the draft implementation order and the complete outline of its implementation method had also not been published.