The National Citizens Party (NCP) has launched a scathing critique of the Election Commission (EC), accusing it of being politically compromised and institutionally weakened, with Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary declaring that the commission organs are now “covered in military uniforms and party attire.”
His remarks came after a one-hour meeting between an NCP delegation and the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) at the EC headquarters on Sunday, from 12:30pm.
The delegation, which included Chief Organiser for southern region Hasnat Abdullah, Joint Convener Khaled Saifullah, and Joint Member Secretary Zahirul Islam Musa, held a press briefing immediately after the meeting.
Nasiruddin Patwary did not mince words. "Day by day, I see that most members of the Election Commission seem to be draped in military uniforms, and the rest are dressed in party clothes," he said, in a pointed metaphor suggesting the EC’s alignment with both the military establishment and the ousted Awami League regime.
"I am still giving the EC a chance to correct its mistakes – but make no mistake: this commission is trying to deprive citizens of their fundamental right to vote."
He alleged that for the past 15 years, the people of Bangladesh have been systematically denied free, fair, and credible elections, and warned that the current EC is laying the groundwork to repeat the same pattern.
"If anyone outside the ruling party tries to participate in the democratic process, they will face obstacles," Patwary said. "This is not just negligence—it’s a deliberate plot. The EC is not facilitating democracy; it is obstructing it."
Calling the EC a "spineless institution," Patwary questioned its ability to uphold constitutional duties.
"The Election Commission is meant to be the guardian of democracy. But what we see today is an institution that has sold its backbone. It does not protect the people’s right to vote—it undermines it."
He emphasised that the NCP, formed in the wake of the 2024 mass uprising, had formally applied for party registration with the EC and was engaging with the commission in good faith.
"We are not here to confront blindly. We are giving the EC an opportunity to reform. We are exposing its failures publicly so the people can see the truth. But if they continue down this path, we will be forced to take a final decision."
When asked whether the NCP would participate in future elections under the current EC, Patwary responded with deep scepticism: "How can I believe in a voting process when, for 15 years, there has been no real vote? If I come to vote, and I am blocked – if people vote for me but their votes are invalidated – then why should we participate?"
He noted that widespread public disillusionment has already led to mass non-participation in past elections, and warned that without fundamental reform, legitimacy will collapse entirely.
"We are still talking. We are still meeting. We are showing them their errors. We are giving them a chance to correct themselves – before we are forced to act."
Patwary ended with a stark warning: "If the Election Commission insists on wearing military uniforms and party clothes—if it continues to suppress the democratic will of the people—then it will leave us no choice. We will make our final decision. But for now, we say: correct yourselves. Regain your integrity. Let us build a real democracy together."