Citizen Party ‘suspicious’ as EC moves with polls plan before official roadmap

The party leader says EC's restructuring hinges on the Consensus Commission’s report

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has cast “doubt” over the Election Commission’s (EC) actions geared towards a December election, even before Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has announced an electoral roadmap.

The youth-led party flagged concerns over the EC’s preparations, which include redrawing constituency boundaries, registering political parties, preparing for national and local elections, establishing polling centres, and forming a panel of election officials.

The NCP has urged the constitutional body to act with “caution” as it proceeds with these activities.

The party’s Chief Coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwary said, “We keep hearing many things from the EC as a constitutional institution, which we haven’t heard from the chief advisor.

“We haven’t heard any mention of a roadmap from him—it has only come from the EC. So we say the EC should be cautious about what it speaks about.”

Instead, Nasir said, the commission “may begin preparations” based on the tentative December–June timeframe previously announced by the interim prime minister.

A five-strong NCP delegation, led by the chief coordinator, met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at the Nirbachan Bhaban, or Election Building, in Dhaka’s Agargaon on Sunday morning.

A few days earlier, Yunus said the next election would likely be held between this December and June of the following year.

According to him, the caretaker administration aims to organise the “best election in the country’s history,” which would be marked as a “historic milestone” in Bangladesh’s democratic journey.

Meanwhile, the EC has begun taking all priority preparations with December in mind as the likely timeline for the election.

Officials have also said a draft “action plan” is being prepared in the style of a roadmap.

On Apr 8, Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarkar said: “After finishing preliminary work, the action plan will be announced by June or July.”

After Sunday’s meeting, NCP leader Nasir criticised the EC’s proactive election push.

Speaking to journalists, he said, “We hold suspicion when the Election Commission speaks on election matters before any directive or roadmap comes from the government.”

Nasir added that the NCP pressed for the implementation of the National Consensus Commission’s report, which outlines recommendations for electoral reform.

He also said the party had placed at least 10 demands with the CEC during the two-hour meeting, including the submission of nomination papers in person, renewal of party registration, extension of party registration deadlines, and cancellation of membership for those with loan defaults or false information in affidavits.

In addition, the NCP representatives discussed several issues, including Election Commission matters and legal reforms. The new party emphasised the need to implement the Consensus Commission’s report once it is received.

The NCP delegation also discussed legal reforms and broader election-related issues with the EC.

EC RESTRUCTURING HINGES ON CONSENSUS COMMISSION

NCP leader Nasir said they have urged the EC to "move towards" meeting public demands by implementing reforms that would ensure fresh elections.

The party has called for fundamental reforms and restructuring of the EC.

When asked whether the current EC has the confidence of the party or not, he said: “We have always said that the law from 2022 [Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Appointment Act] was opposed by the BNP and all other parties.

“It was a set of rules created by a ‘fascist’ government."

Nasir clarified that there had been no specific discussion on the election timeline during the meeting.

In response to a question, the chief coordinator said the party had clearly stated its opposition to the process initiated under the 2022 law that introduced the search committee mechanism for appointing election commissioners.

He added that the party demanded a reformed and transparent system instead, and if the Consensus Commission agreed on such a framework and took steps, the matter would then lie with the government to act upon.

“We do not focus on who the current commissioners are; we see the Election Commission as a constitutional institution,” said Nasir.

“If a decision on the EC’s restructuring comes from the government in line with the Consensus Commission’s recommendations, we will assess it then. If not, we will comment accordingly.”

Addressing a further query, he said: “The 2022 law regarding the CEC and EC appointments is, as we have said before, illegal. Other parties have also expressed the same.

“Those currently in office should be included in the reform process. Whether they stay or not will depend on the Consensus Commission’s report. We have no objection to any individual.

“Let the constitutional institution be reshaped according to that report,” Nasir added.

NCP STRESSES IMPLEMENTATION OF REFORM REPORT

The NCP has urged the EC to implement the recommendations of the Electoral Reform Commission.

Nasir said: “Once the Consensus Commission’s report is finalised, the government will send it to every constitutional commission. Those decisions must be implemented.

“We have sat with the Consensus Commission and discussed the electoral framework as well. We have called for implementation once the report is final.”

According to the NCP's chief coordinator, the EC can continue with its routine tasks and internal duties.

Regarding full-scale election activities, he believes it should align its actions with the final report from the Consensus Commission.

“For the democratic process to proceed, electoral reform is critical,” Nasir said. “If the EC operates according to the decisions and recommendations from the Consensus Commission, a fair election will be possible.”

“The current system requires significant reforms. The EC has already agreed on several points, but the laws must follow the recommendations of the Consensus Commission.”

He highlighted the importance of implementing every recommendation from the Election System Reform Commission, chaired by Badiul Alam Majumdar, in a structured and practical manner.

“We told them that every page, every word of the reform report must be applied for the upcoming elections. Bangladesh needs to start its journey in that direction,” Nasir said.

He reiterated that the CEC has agreed with the reform proposals.

The NCP leader said, "If we do not align with the Consensus Commission’s report, we cannot place our trust in the process.”

NCP’S DEMANDS

Nasir said the party has placed several reform demands before the EC, including a requirement for candidates to submit nomination papers in person, issuance of election certification by the EC within 48 hours, and verification of candidates’ affidavits to ensure accuracy.

The party has also proposed amending the code of conduct and expenditure regulations to curb electoral violence and called for barring loan defaulters from contesting elections.

In addition, the NCP urged the EC to ensure that candidates submitting false information in affidavits be disqualified, even if elected, and lose their seats in parliament.

The party also demanded the enfranchisement of expatriates, an extension of the registration period for political parties, and the promotion of internal democratic practices within parties.

According to NCP leaders, unless these demands are implemented, participating in the polls and exercising voting rights would not be feasible.

TRIAL OF THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THREE CONTROVERSIAL POLLS

The 10th and 12th parliamentary elections in 2014 and 2024, respectively, were boycotted by the Awami League’s main rivals, the BNP-Jamaat alliance and like-minded parties.

Although they participated in the 2018 polls, allegations surfaced of ballot boxes being stuffed with sealed votes on the night before election day.

Nasir has called for the investigation and prosecution of candidates who contested these three elections under the Awami League government’s tenure, along with the EC officials and staff allegedly involved in electoral misconduct.

Nasir said the EC has expressed its "commitment" to this demand.

"It [the EC] said that it has taken an oath from the officials and staff involved.”

"But we have said that it will not be enough just to take an oath; those who have been involved in these activities for the past 15 years must be brought under the appropriate legal process,” he concluded.