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Published : 03 Dec 2025, 07:55 PM
The National Citizen Party (NCP) has urged the Election Commission to take the country’s political situation into account, including the illness of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, and announce the election schedule only after "stability is restored".
NCP leaders collected their party’s registration certificate from the EC on Wednesday before briefing journalists, where two senior figures outlined their position on the schedule.
Earlier, a delegation led by NCP Convenor Nahid Islam met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, and later received the registration certificate from EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed.
On the discussion, Nahid said: “The EC did not give us a clear indication about the schedule. The EC has said in the media that it may announce it in the next couple of weeks. We urged them to announce it while taking the existing political situation into account.”
Last Saturday, the CEC said the schedule for the parliamentary election and referendum would be announced in the second week of next month.
During the briefing, NCP’s Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary said: “We also discussed the schedule. If the announcement comes when political stability has returned, the whole process becomes much easier.
“Khaleda Zia, the uncompromising leader of democracy, is unwell. The country is in a state of political uncertainty. We said the crisis must be resolved first, and only then should the schedule be issued so that everyone can come on board for the voting process.”
Asked whether the NCP wanted the schedule deferred, he said: “Why would we want it postponed? We want the schedule announced after the crisis is resolved.”
Nahid added: “The schedule should come at a time when there is political stability and when every party can enter the election journey in a proper environment. That timing would benefit all parties.”
Following the meeting with the CEC, Nahid said the party had finally secured its electoral symbol, the Shapla Koli, after many hurdles, and would contest the polls with it.
He praised the EC for its recent reform requiring alliance members to run under their own party symbol, describing it as a “positive step”.
He alleged, however, that attempts were being made to overturn the provision: “A certain party has exerted pressure on the government and various institutions. Petitions have been filed in court, and efforts are under way to use the court to scrap this reform.”
He said the NCP urged the EC to “stand firm” in retaining the rule.
Nahid added that the party had asked the EC to verify candidate affidavits thoroughly and take legal action against false declarations. He also voiced concern about fairness, saying the EC must scrutinise recent transfers of deputy commissioners and police superintendents because they suspect political influence. Neutral appointments, he said, were essential.
The NCP also called for stronger public outreach on the referendum.
