Nahid questions whether pressure on EC, administration part of Tarique's plan
During a meeting today, the NCP drew the chief adviser’s attention to several election-related issues and urged the government to remain vigilant in ensuring a level playing field.
National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam today (19 January) questioned whether BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has a plan to exert pressure on the Election Commission (EC) and the administration, undermine the referendum, and bring loan defaulters into parliament.
Speaking at a press briefing at the state guest house Jamuna after a meeting with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, Nahid addressed Tarique directly, asking whether his "plan" involves influencing independent constitutional institutions, manipulating the electoral process, and ensuring the referendum does not succeed.
The NCP chief said it is the responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure a free and fair election, to campaign for a "Yes" vote in favour of reforms in the referendum, and for political parties to behave responsibly. However, he alleged that such responsible conduct is not being observed from the BNP.
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"As a political party, we are not seeing responsible behaviour from the BNP," he said. "Tarique Rahman earlier said he has a plan. People are now questioning whether that plan includes putting pressure on the Election Commission as an independent constitutional body, controlling the media, tilting the election in one direction, pressuring the administration, making the election controversial, and preventing victory in the referendum."
He warned that if such a plan exists – leading to a non-neutral election, capture of polling centres, politicisation of the administration, or verdicts in favour of one party through pressure on the Election Commission – the public would not accept it.
"The youth of Bangladesh will not accept this," he said.
Nahid also questioned whether the plan involves nominating loan defaulters and individuals with dual citizenship for parliament, adding that Tarique should make his plans clear before the people.
Meeting with the chief adviser
Earlier in the evening, an NCP delegation led by Nahid Islam met CA Yunus at the state guest house Jamuna. The delegation included NCP Central Election Management Committee Chairman Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, Secretary Monira Sharmin, and head of the party's legal support subcommittee Zahirul Islam Musa.
Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki and Chief Adviser's Special Assistant in charge of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Faiz Ahmed Taiyeb, were also present at the meeting.
During the meeting, NCP leaders shared their observations and concerns regarding the election. They said NCP leaders and activists at all levels are campaigning in favour of a "Yes" vote in the referendum. They also drew the chief adviser's attention to several election-related issues and urged the government to remain vigilant in ensuring a level playing field.
Responding to the concerns, the chief adviser said any election-related complaints or suggestions should be immediately communicated to the government.
"The government will take whatever measures are possible to address them. Steps will be taken to ensure that no one can violate the law," he said.
Yunus said neutrality is being ensured through the reshuffling of field-level administration by lottery, leaving no scope for bias in the election. "This election will determine the country's future. It is an election to transform the country, and it must be free and fair," he said.
He also said most polling centres will come under CCTV coverage by January, while officials at risk-prone centres will be equipped with body cameras, all of which will be monitored from a control room.
The chief adviser further said the government is campaigning lawfully in favour of a "Yes" vote in the referendum by explaining to the public why such a vote is necessary and what it would achieve. He added that all political parties have also been invited to take part.
"Ensuring a free and festive election is the responsibility of all of us – the government, the Election Commission and political parties," he said, seeking cooperation from all political forces.
