'No confidence in EC': NCP announces protest rally tomorrow at 11am in front of Nirbachon Bhaban

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has said it has no confidence in the Election Commission and demanded a restructure of the commission and immediate initiation of local government elections. 

Speaking at a press conference this evening (20 may) in Banglamotor in the capital, the party's Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain announced a protest rally will be held in front of the Election Commission at 11am tomorrow to press forth their demands.

"We urge the interim government to urgently consider the recommendations of the Reform Commission and reorganise the Election Commission, and to take steps toward holding local government elections," Akhtar said.

Stating that a complex political situation has emerged stemming from the 2020 Dhaka South City Corporation elections, he claimed that the Election Commission played a biased role and is responsible for the current situation. 

"Although the Election Commission was a defendant in the case of [BNP leader] Ishraque Hossain and [Awami League-nominated] Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and others, it unprecedentedly chose not to contest the case, resulting in a one-sided verdict," he alleged.

He further alleged that even after the verdict, the commission did not seek redress from the higher courts and instead seemingly provided special advantages to the plaintiff. 

"Previously, we have also observed the commission making statements that align with the position of a major political party [Awami League], rather than maintaining neutrality."

Stating their lack of confidence in the Election Commission, Akhtar said the commission was formed under laws enacted by the ousted Awami League government, a law that was rejected by all anti-fascist political parties and factions at the time.

He continued, "Even so, we were surprised to see the Election Commission being formed even before the Reform Commission's recommendations were considered. Hence, it is evident that the ongoing commission's actions will not reflect the proposals of the Reform Commission. 

"For example, the current commission has dismissed the recommendation to ban fugitives and war crimes-accused individuals from participating in elections. This confirms our position that this commission cannot be trusted."

Akhtar Hossain said to address public suffering, local government elections are the only solution.

He pointed out that in the absence of elected representatives, the delivery of civic services has been severely disrupted, and obstacles have emerged in implementing social protection initiatives.

"The ongoing situation has led candidates from illegal elections across the country to seek legal intervention, using the case of 'Ishraque vs Taposh and others' as a precedent, creating a complex and crisis-ridden scenario," he said. 

"To resolve this crisis and alleviate public distress, local government elections remain the only viable solution," he said.

However, Akhtar said, the current biased commission, formed under fascist laws, appears incapable of organising such elections.