'Tomorrow will be red line': NCP warns of protests if EC validates nominations of loan defaulters, dual citizens
The party said it would launch legal action as well as street protests if the constitution and electoral laws are violated to favour any political group.
The National Citizen Party (NCP) has issued a strong warning to the Election Commission (EC), alleging attempts to legitimise the candidacy of loan defaulters and dual citizens during appeal hearings.
The party said it would launch legal action as well as street protests if the constitution and electoral laws are violated to favour any political group.
The warning came at a press conference held at the party's central office this evening (17 January), where NCP spokesperson and the party's Election Management Committee chairman Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan said, "Tomorrow [18 January] will be a red line for the EC."
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"We are observing signs of a return to old arrangements within the EC. In some cases, the commission appears to be showing flexibility towards loan defaulters and dual citizens from certain political parties, which is a dangerous signal for a fair election," he claimed.
He added that if constitutional and legal provisions are not properly reflected within the stipulated time, the party would not compromise.
Asif Mahmud further alleged that BNP candidates brought hundreds of activists and lawyers to the EC premises to exert pressure. "BNP candidate and dual citizen Abdul Awal Mintoo verbally abused NCP lawyers at the EC, using derogatory language."
"If there is any attempt to pass ineligible candidates through loopholes, we will fight both legally and on the streets," Asif Mahmud warned. "If necessary, resistance will be built in every constituency."
NCP leaders said they had cooperated with the Election Commission from the beginning but were disappointed by what they described as the commission's "one-sided" conduct.
Also speaking at the press conference, legal aid sub-committee member of NCP Zahidul Islam Musa shared his experience from the day's appeal hearings.
He alleged that despite Article 66(2) of the constitution clearly disqualifying dual citizens from becoming members of parliament, the EC was attempting to provide new interpretations to justify their eligibility.
Musa also claimed that several BNP-nominated candidates, despite being loan defaulters, were attempting to conceal information to secure validation for their nominations.
