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Published : 30 Jan 2026, 07:29 PM
The National Citizen Party (NCP) has announced a 36-point election manifesto aimed at constructing a “realistic and reform-oriented roadmap” before the February elections.
According to the party, the manifesto builds upon its vision of “governance, principled policies, and reform-based political philosophy”, taking into account citizens’ daily struggles, expectations, and systemic challenges in state management.
On Friday afternoon, at a hotel in Dhaka, the NCP formally presented its election promises under the theme “Manifesto of Youth and Dignity”.
The party emphasised that the manifesto is not a document of any individual or faction.
“The purpose of this manifesto is to construct a realistic and reform-oriented roadmap based on citizens’ day-to-day struggles, expectations, and fundamental governance challenges,” it said.
The NCP stressed that every commitment is grounded in fairness, realistic planning, transparency, and accountability.
“We do not intend to mislead the electorate with false promises,” the party added.
It pledged to implement the manifesto through state policymaking, administrative initiatives, and legal reforms if elected.
The 86-page manifesto was presented in four key areas -- economy, women, health, and education -- by NCP Convenor Nahid Islam.
He said, “Not all sectors may be fully covered, but this represents our priority list. If we become part of the government, we will implement it.”
Explaining coalition dynamics, he added that different ideological partners in the alliance would work in a coordinated manner, with the NCP ensuring its minimum agenda of reform, justice, and anti-corruption is realised.
The party’s electioneering head Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain said the manifesto is the outcome of extensive dialogue with citizens, community groups, professionals, and workers.
“We listened to the people across the country -- from the July processions to local visits -- and incorporated their demands into this manifesto,” he said.
The manifesto includes the creation of an independent commission to implement the July Charter, and promises justice for July killings, Shapla Chattar killings, BDR massacre, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings.
It also seeks the return of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina from India under principles of equality and mutual respect.
On national security, the NCP has pledged to establish a “Reserve Force”, while emphasising sovereign, state-to-state strategic relations with India, free from aggression, interference, or unilateral advantage.
The manifesto underlines that structural reforms are essential to prevent authoritarian resurgence and to realise the aspirations of the people in full democratic form.
NCP’s 36-point agenda is as follows:
An independent commission will be formed to set timelines and accountability mechanisms for implementing the July Charter provisions that depend on laws and executive orders.
Exemplary trials will be ensured for all crimes against humanity committed during what the party describes as the period of Awami League “fascism”, including the July “genocide”, the Shapla Chattar killings, the BDR killings, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings. A Truth and Reconciliation Commission will also be formed.
A special cell will be created within an independent Human Rights Commission, with powers of independent investigation, to prevent religious hatred, communalism, minority persecution, and discrimination or repression based on identity.
Annual income and asset statements of ministers, MPs, all elected representatives and senior government officials, along with detailed accounts of public expenditure and allocations, will be published and regularly updated on a publicly accessible “Hishab Dao” portal for accountability.
Lateral entry into the bureaucracy will be expanded, and all promotions in government service will be made 100 percent performance-based through an independent promotion commission. Pay scales will be revised every three years in line with inflation, and Imams, Muezzins and Khatibs will be included in the pay scale.
To eliminate complications from multiple cards, the NID card will be used as the single credential for accessing all services.
The national minimum wage will be set at Tk 100 per hour, with mandatory workplace safety insurance and pensions, and strict enforcement of labour laws.
The existing 10 million TCB Smart Family Cards will be made usable at registered grocery shops instead of requiring people to queue at trucks.
A defined house rent framework will be introduced, alongside social housing projects under public-private partnership or “waqf sukuk” models.
The tax burden on lower- and middle-income groups will be reduced, tax evasion curbed, the tax-to-GDP ratio raised to 12 percent, and increased investment will be made in education and health, alongside building a cashless economy.
To ensure a planned graduation from LDC status, advance free trade agreements and comprehensive economic partnership agreements (FTA-CEPA) will be pursued. Export diversification and new industries will be developed to create jobs, discipline restored in the financial sector, and wilful loan defaulters targeted through a central database, strict laws, asset seizure and withdrawal of political rights.
Extortion will be completely stopped to reduce the political cost of doing business to zero for local and foreign investors, with a 999-style hotline and strict enforcement of a zero-tolerance policy.
Inflation will be brought down to 6 percent, the publication of false or misleading economic data will be stopped, full independence of regulatory bodies ensured, and school-based financial education introduced to protect public savings.
The voting age will be lowered to 16, and a “Youth Civic Council” will be formed to amplify young people’s voices.
Ten million decent jobs will be created over the next five years. Cashflow-based loans for SMEs, a Tk 100 billion fund for women and youth entrepreneurs, reduced registration costs and five-year tax exemptions will be ensured.
Through state-managed placement, language and skills training, 1.5 million safe and skilled migrant workers will be produced annually.
An education reform commission will be formed to rationally integrate all existing streams and methods of education. A separate pay structure for teachers will be implemented, and 75 percent of MPO-listed institutions nationalised within five years.
A mandatory six-month full-time internship will be introduced at the undergraduate level, and thesis research will be made compulsory.
A “reverse brain drain” programme will be launched by providing one-off funding for seniority and laboratories for expatriate researchers. A national computing server will be established to prioritise computational research.
Specialised Health Zones (SHZ) will be established in the north and south of the country to treat complex and critical diseases, including heart disease, cancer, trauma, infertility, and advanced surgeries, as an alternative to overseas medical tourism.
A GPS-tracked national ambulance and pre-hospital emergency system will be established to ensure universal emergency medical services in remote areas, with emergency paramedic response teams. Modern emergency departments will be set up at all divisional and district hospitals, with at least one advanced ICU and CCU in each district hospital.
NID-based digital health records and an effective referral system will be introduced for every citizen, with phased inclusion of all citizens under national health insurance.
To enhance women’s empowerment, 100 reserved seats in the lower house will be filled through direct elections, with the number reduced gradually as women’s participation in politics increases.
Six months of fully paid maternity leave and one month of paternity leave will be made mandatory in all institutions. Optional menstrual leave will be introduced in government workplaces, and day-care facilities made compulsory.
Under a decentralised Upazila-based framework, the supply of sanitary and other essential “women-friendly” health products will be ensured, with direct allocations to Upazila health centres and public schools and colleges.
A one-stop “Diaspora Digital Portal” will be created to provide online access to passports, NIDs, birth registration, consular services and investment facilities. Strict monitoring will be enforced against harassment and misconduct at airports and embassies.
Investment and pension benefits will be introduced against remittance inflows, along with “RemitMiles” travel miles for air travel.
Education, health, employment, voting rights, skills development and social protection for persons with disabilities and marginalised communities will be ensured.
Integrated public transport systems will be introduced in Dhaka and Chattogram under single authorities, and freight train services expanded to reduce pressure from trucks on roads.
Polluting brick kilns will be shut down, clean vehicles and green technologies promoted, with at least 25 percent of electricity generated from renewable sources within five years and 40 percent of government vehicle procurement being electric.
Central effluent treatment plants (ETPs) will be made mandatory in all industries, with tax and financial incentives to reduce costs. A zero-tolerance policy will be enforced against industrial pollution, river and canal encroachment and environmental destruction.
Fertiliser, seed and machinery subsidies will be provided directly to farmers through NID-based cashback. Agricultural collection and sales centres, multipurpose cold storage and warehouses will be established to ensure direct procurement from farmers.
By strengthening domestic seed research, preservation and distribution, food sovereignty alongside food security will be ensured. Anti-adulteration drives will be intensified with strict punishment.
A firm stance will be taken at the highest diplomatic and political levels on issues with India, including border killings, fair shares of transboundary river water, repatriation of Sheikh Hasina and Awami League “miscreants”, and unequal agreements, with recourse to international bodies and courts if necessary.
Through bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, a humanitarian solution to the Rohingya crisis will be pursued, alongside joining ASEAN and improving ties with Southeast Asian countries.
A reserve force twice the size of the regular armed forces will be created. Within five years, an unmanned vehicle brigade will be formed in the army, and at least eight medium-range surface-to-air missile batteries will be acquired.
