NCP prioritising constituent assembly over national election 

The newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP) is placing greater emphasis on expanding its grassroots organisation and focusing on the political struggle for a constituent assembly election, rather than directing its attention to the national elections.

"For us, the national election is not our central concern. A constituent assembly election is our main focus," Samantha Sharmin, senior joint convener of the NCP, told The Business Standard. 

She said the only logical path is to push forward towards the constituent assembly election and the party will do whatever is necessary to ensure it.

"We will fight for it," she added.

Sharmin also said the party will work to have a political party elected that actively engages young people.

Meanwhile, NCP's Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain today (2 March) announced the formation of a partial committee consisting of 217 members. 

The committee is tasked with drafting the NCP's constitution and manifesto, implementing its programmes, and overseeing organisational expansion over the next year.

The party's official statement accompanying the committee's approval noted, "In 2024, through an unprecedented and bloody uprising led by students and the people, Bangladesh's citizens were freed from a fascist regime. However, the one-point demand declared at the Shaheed Minar - the dismantling of the fascist system and the establishment of a new political order - has yet to be realised."

When asked about the timing of the Citizens' Party's upcoming council, Sharmin said, "The council will be held after one year. Given the one-year term, there will be no council before that."

Response to BNP's remarks

In an event on Saturday, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed expressed concerns over the push for a constituent assembly or second republic, saying, "Those advocating for it either do not understand, or are deliberately attempting to prolong this undemocratic system."

In response, Sharmin said if someone fails to grasp the people's mandate on 5 August, it's their problem. 

"The mandate and aspirations of the people clearly show that Bangladesh is entering a new political era, and those who wish to maintain the old political system are essentially playing power politics, not politics for the people," she added.

During the same event, Salahuddin urged the chief adviser to provide an electoral roadmap for the national parliament soon. "If you fail to do so by the end of this month, we, as democratic political forces, will decide how we move forward through a democratic process," he said.

Sharmin responded by saying the NCP takes the roadmap "seriously" and expressed interest in the national elections, but stressed that addressing issues of justice and reform is more important.

"The roadmap must reflect these concerns," she added. "However, it is being presented as if it's solely election-centric, which is a worrying approach."

What NCP needs to contest national polls

To contest the next general election, the NCP must register with the Election Commission. 

Under Section 90B of the Representation of the People Order, 1972, any party seeking registration must meet one of three criteria: electoral performance, organisational structure, and internal democratic practices.

As the NCP is a new party and does not yet meet the electoral performance requirement, its path to registration hinges on strengthening its organisational presence across multiple administrative districts and ensuring internal democracy. 

Under the organisational structure, the party must establish a central office and district offices in at least one-third of administrative districts, as well as offices in at least 100 upazilas or metropolitan thanas. 

Besides, each of these offices must have at least 200 registered voters as party members.

In terms of internal democratic practices, the NCP must ensure elections for committee members at all levels, including the central committee, and include a 33% female representation by 2030.

The party must also prohibit student, teacher, labour, or professional groups from forming affiliated wings and finalise candidate nominations through a structured, grassroots-level process.

Senior Joint Convener Ariful Islam Adib outlined the party's approach: "Our initial focus before the elections is to expand our organisation at the metropolitan, district, upazila, and grassroots levels. Once that is achieved, we will prioritise political programmes and other matters."