Certain group within govt seeking to sabotage election process: NCP

A faction within the government is attempting to undermine the electoral process by deviating from the recommendations of the consensus-based reform commission, alleged Akhtar Hossain, General Secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP). 

He warned that such actions place the credibility of the upcoming election at serious risk.

Speaking at a press conference held at the NCP’s temporary office in Bangla Motor, Dhaka, on Monday evening, November 3, Akhtar Hossain said it has become evident that certain elements within the government are actively obstructing reform efforts to destabilise the election.

He urged the government to accept its responsibility and issue an executive order to implement the July Charter in full. He further called for the next parliament to be constituted as a Constitutional Reform Council, vested with formative powers to ensure that the people’s mandate – expressed through a referendum – is automatically enacted.

“The reform commission formulated its recommendations following extensive consultations with all major political parties,” Akhtar Hossain noted. 

“The expectation was that the government would issue an implementing order based on this consensus. Instead, by holding a press conference and asking parties to hold further talks for another week, the government appears to be playing ‘snake and ladder ludo’ with these critical reforms.”

He added pointedly, “We had progressed to square 96 – but now, due to these ‘snakes,’ we’ve been sent back to square three. This backsliding is deepening Bangladesh’s political crisis at a time when unity and clarity are most needed.”