The National Citizen Party (NCP) has declared its intention to participate independently in the forthcoming local government elections. During an urgent press briefing at the party’s office in Banglamotor, Dhaka, spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain revealed this decision on Tuesday evening. He emphasized that if the situation necessitates forming an alliance, they will engage with party members to make a decision aligned with the party’s and the people’s best interests.
Asif Mahmud also raised concerns about the swift appointment of administrators to six city corporations, questioning the transparency of the process and its potential to disrupt fair competition in the upcoming elections. He called for a clear timeline for the polls to be promptly announced. Additionally, he criticized the alleged harassment of civilians and journalists during recent campaigns, highlighting the importance of upholding the constitutional rights of those peacefully advocating for legitimate causes.
Expressing apprehension that the government might be fostering a climate of intimidation, Asif Mahmud stated that according to current regulations, local government elections should be conducted without party symbols. He further disclosed plans for the NCP’s inaugural anniversary event on February 28, inviting individuals who share the party’s reformist ideology to join their ranks.
In preparation for the elections, NCP Chief Organiser (North) and chairman of the local government election committee, Sarjis Alam, disclosed the establishment of a six-member committee tasked with coordinating nationwide arrangements. The party aims to identify preliminary candidates across 12 city corporations, 495 upazilas, and approximately 330 municipalities through a process involving interviews and consultations within the organization. Sarjis encouraged party members to actively participate in the electoral process and called upon professionals from diverse backgrounds to support the party’s endeavors.
In a related development, the NCP recently constituted a six-member local government election committee, with Sarjis Alam serving as chairman and Abdul Hannan Masud as secretary. The committee members include Senior Joint Convener Ariful Islam Adeeb, Joint Member Secretaries Alauddin Mohammad and Tahsin Riaz, and Monjila Jhuma.