The National Citizen Party (NCP), led by the youth, has made a strong entrance into the political arena by winning six seats in its inaugural parliamentary election, despite uncertainties surrounding its future and alliance choices.
NCP leaders have hailed the election results as a testament to voter confidence in the party and have committed to engaging in “action-oriented politics” both inside and outside parliament. The party participated in 30 constituencies as part of the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance in the 13th parliamentary election, securing six seats and garnering approximately 21 lakh votes nationwide.
Among the notable victories, Nahid Islam emerged victorious in Dhaka-11 with 93,872 votes, surpassing BNP candidate MA Quayum’s 91,833 votes in the preliminary results. Other successful candidates include Akhter Hossen in Rangpur-4, Hasnat Abdullah in Cumilla-4, Hannan Masud in Noakhali-6, Abdullah Al Amin in Narayanganj-4, and Atiq Mujahid in Kurigram-2, according to initial counts by the party.
Despite the achievements, NCP leaders acknowledged falling short of expectations and expressed intentions to review results in constituencies where concerns were raised regarding the voting process. Abdullah highlighted that the party’s analysis of the election is ongoing and emphasized that an official statement clarifying the party’s stance will be issued soon.
The NCP plans to operate as an opposition force and aims to play a significant role in enacting constructive reforms and enhancing the political landscape in the country. Abdullah envisions the NCP becoming the primary party in Bangladesh over the next five years.
Originating from the July 2024 uprising, the NCP evolved from the Students Against Discrimination movement and transitioned from street activism to parliamentary engagement. The party’s journey from protest mobilization to electoral participation has been marked by challenges and criticisms, particularly regarding its decision to join the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance.
The move to align with the alliance led to internal divisions within the party, leading to resignations from key figures. Despite the setbacks, the NCP managed to secure a foothold in parliament with six seats and is now focusing on post-election restructuring to solidify its position and define its role as a parliamentary opposition.