This election will mark beginning of a new era for Bangladesh: NCP's Patwary

This election will mark the beginning of a new era for Bangladesh, National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary said today (11 December).

In an immediate reaction to the CEC AMM Nasir Uddin's election schedule announcement, he said, "All fears and uncertainties surrounding the polls have now been removed."

"The current government has three agendas – justice, reform, and accountability. The verdict on Sheikh Hasina has already been delivered, and political parties are now in consensus regarding reforms," he told reporters at a press briefing at the party's temporary office in the capital's Banglamotor.

Patwary claimed that the election announcement had come "in the London deal".

"It would have been better if all parties had sat together to decide the date. With the election schedule now announced, I thank the government," he added.

However, Patwary expressed doubts about the capacity of the Election Commission. "While the commission shows good intentions, there are doubts about its capacity. We are suspicious about the issue of any party control. The lottery process has also not been made public."

He urged that polling centres should not fall into the hands of corrupt, fraudulent, or loan-defaulter individuals.

The NCP leader further stated, "I don't see enough capacity in the law enforcement agencies. We spoke about reconstituting the Election Commission from the beginning, but that has not happened either."

Patwary assured that they would remain within the expenditure limits as per the election code of conduct.

Regarding the two advisers, who resigned yesterday, joining the NCP, he said, "We want all our fighters in the NCP. But they also have the individual freedom to join any party they wish."