Take action against 'biased advisers', act neutrally: NCP tells CA Yunus
"Govt neutrality to be compromised if major parties continue dividing DC, SP positions among themselves," he says
Highlights
- NCP urges removal of 'biased advisers' to ensure neutrality
- Nahid calls for reconstitution of Election Commission
- Party alleges political influence in DC, SP postings
- NCP demands justice roadmap for July Uprising victims
- NCP will sign July National Charter only after implementation assurance
National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam today (22 October) urged Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to ensure that the government operates neutrally ahead of the national elections and to take necessary action regarding any advisers accused of bias.
"The current structure and behaviour of the Election Commission suggest it is not acting neutrally. We are observing bias toward certain parties. For a fair election, a neutral commission is essential," he told reporters after a meeting with the chief adviser at the State Guest House, Jamuna.
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"Therefore, we believe the commission must be reconstituted immediately. If the election is not conducted properly, the government will be held responsible," he added.
Nahid also questioned, "On what basis are the current administrative appointments being made — neutrality and merit, or something else?"
Responding to a question, he reiterated that the party will not contest the election without the "Shapla" symbol.
The NCP chief further alleged that some political parties were influencing administrative postings ahead of the elections.
"We are learning that major parties are dividing positions like deputy commissioners [DCs] and superintendents of police [SPs] among themselves. If this continues, the government's neutrality will be compromised," he said.
In national elections, DCs will serve as returning officers, responsible for overseeing the entire voting process in their districts. Meanwhile, SPs are tasked with maintaining law and order situations.
Regarding the NCP's decision not to sign the July National Charter, Nahid explained, "We don't believe in symbolic value alone. We will sign the charter only after receiving assurance about its implementation."
He further said the party has proposed issuing a constitutional order to ensure the implementation of the charter, to be proclaimed by the chief adviser himself. "Because the sovereign power of the people, as expressed through the July Uprising, is now vested in Muhammad Yunus — not in the president."
Speaking on behalf of the families of the July martyrs and the injured, the NCP leader said they wanted to know what actions the government has taken regarding the cases filed across the country over the July massacre.
"We are seeing in newspapers that accused individuals are being released on bail and threatening the families of martyrs and survivors. We have demanded a roadmap for justice and the safety of the affected families. This roadmap should be announced before the election," he said.
Nahid also praised the move to bring several Bangladesh Army members before the court on charges of crimes against humanity. "We appreciate the government and the International Crimes Tribunal for taking this important step toward justice," he said.
Earlier, around 5pm, a delegation of the NCP, led by Convener Nahid Islam, including Joint Conveners Samanta Sharmin and Khaled Saifullah, along with Chief Organiser (North) Sarjis Alam, held a meeting with the chief adviser.
As part of the ongoing political dialogue, the chief adviser also met a delegation from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami around 6pm today, according to the CA Press Wing.
Yesterday, a BNP delegation met with the chief adviser to discuss preparations for the upcoming national election, calling on the interim government to act as a caretaker mode and to remove any partisan individuals from the government.
The meetings are part of the chief adviser's continued discussions with political parties ahead of the upcoming polls.
