Restructure EC, hold local govt polls first

The National Citizen Party (NCP) was strongly critical of the election commission, saying that it is acting as a mouthpiece for a particular political party instead of fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities.

They also announced that they would continue their protests, demanding steps to restructure the election commission and hold the local government elections before the national polls.

Nasiruddin Patwari, chief organiser of the NCP, made the demands during a sit-in in front of the election commission office in the city on Wednesday.

He alleged that despite being formed under the 2022 law, the current EC has failed to demonstrate its neutrality and has instead taken a partisan stance, which he termed a national disgrace. "The election commission is a vital institution to restore democracy and uphold voting rights. If it is not restructured properly, we see no possibility of holding any fair elections in Bangladesh," said Patwari.

He said that the upcoming local government elections should be treated as a test of the EC's credibility. "If they can conduct the local polls in a transparent and fair manner, we can perhaps consider them fit to hold the national election," he said.

Slamming the previous commissions, including the one led by Rakibuddin Ahmed, the NCP leader said those responsible for staging 'electoral dramas' and denying people their voting rights have yet to face justice.

He warned that unless the EC resigns and is reformed in line with a national consensus, the NCP would compel certain government advisers, including those acting as BNP spokespersons, to resign through mass campaigns. "The game of compromise is over," he said, addressing legal, planning, and finance advisers.

Tariqul Islam, convener of Jatiyo Juba Shakti, Sarwar Tushar, joint convener of NCP, SM Shahriar, joint chief organiser of the party, and NCP leaders from the different corners of the city were also present in the demonstration.

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