NCP limits president, secretary to two terms in party's draft constitution

Highlights

• NCP's central committee to serve three years
• Elections due within three months following expiry of a committee 
• Political Council to be elected nationwide, with at least three women
• President and general secretary to report to 11–15-member Political Council
• Current committee may revise draft constitution before next council
• Party to seek EC registration, disclose its election symbol then

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has adopted a draft constitution of the party, limiting the tenure of president and general secretary to two terms.

The party's new central committee rules also fix the tenure of each committee at three years, with a council election required within three months of term completion.

Speaking at a press conference at the party office in Banglamotor today (20 June), NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain said, "No individual will serve more than two terms as president or general secretary in their lifetime. The committee's term will be three years, and a council election must be held within three months after the term ends."

He added that the NCP's Political Council will be elected by councillors from across the country. "At least three of the council members will be women."

The party's first national council will be convened soon, depending on prevailing conditions, the NCP leader added.

Akhtar explained, "The president and general secretary will remain accountable to the party's Political Council, which will have between 11 and 15 members. 11 members will be directly elected by the National Council.

"By virtue of their positions, the party's president and general secretary will be included in the Political Council. The remaining two members of the council will be nominated by them."

Regarding party registration with the Election Commission, he said, "Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari, Joint Convenor Khaled Saifullah, and Joint Member Secretary Zahirul Islam Musa have been tasked with all formal communications."

He further said that the current committee retains the authority to amend the draft constitution before the next council, if necessary.

In response to recent controversy, Akhtar condemned the spread of defamatory and vulgar remarks about NCP's women members, labelling it "vicious propaganda."

"The party would file a complaint with the Press Council against media outlets that irresponsibly spread such content, and would also take the matter up with diaspora communities and embassies abroad in cases of overseas disinformation," he said.

He also urged the public to remain vigilant against such falsehoods and called on all political parties to take action against such behaviour.

At the press conference, the party's Chief Organiser (North) Sarjis Alam said that the number of seats the party will contest in the upcoming election will be announced once a decision is made.

Commenting on the Election Commission, he said, "Their conduct and decisions have cast doubt on their neutrality. We will apply for registration after fulfilling all necessary conditions. The commission has no justification to deny us."

Akhtar Hossain said the party will disclose its preferred election symbol at the time of submitting the registration application.