National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has urged the Election Commission (EC) to announce the schedule for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections at a time that allows all parties to prepare, given the current political situation.
He was speaking to reporters after meeting Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at the EC office in Agargaon on Wednesday afternoon.
Nahid said the NCP has formally accepted its registration certificate and will now operate as a registered political party.
“Our leaders and activists worked tirelessly from the grassroots to secure this registration in a short time,” he said.
The NCP leader said the party has been allotted the Shapla kali (water lily bud) symbol and will contest the elections under it.
“As a symbol reflecting the hopes and aspirations of rural Bangladesh, Shapla kali will represent the people,” he said.
Supports RPO amendment on party symbols
Nahid said the party discussed several issues with the EC, including recent amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO), which require each party to contest using its own symbol.
“We welcomed this reform. For multi-party democracy to flourish, each party must campaign with its own ideology and symbol,” he said.
He alleged that pressure had been exerted on the government and the EC by a major political party to allow alliance members to contest under a single symbol.
“We opposed such attempts,” he added.
Calls for affidavit verification, curbing of black money
Nahid urged the EC to verify the affidavits submitted by candidates and take action if any false information is found.
He also called for strict enforcement of election expenditure limits, saying the use of black money remains rampant.
“The EC must take a tough stance against violators,” he said.
He reiterated the need for a level playing field, stressing concerns over the transfer and posting of deputy commissioners and superintendents of police.
“We believe political influence is at play. The EC must ensure the right officials are appointed,” he said.
Seeks proper publicity of referendum exercise
Nahid said the EC briefed them on its ongoing trial run of a referendum-style voting system with a four-part question.
“We told them it must be properly publicised from the beginning so people are informed,” he added.
Schedule likely within two weeks
On the election schedule, Nahid said the EC did not give a specific date but indicated it would be announced within one to two weeks.
“We urged them to consider the prevailing political situation before announcing it,” he said.
He reiterated concerns about the EC’s capacity, claiming that “many corrupt officers” who worked during previous years still remain in the commission.
“We have evidence and we informed the EC,” he said.