NCP demands clear roadmap for local govt polls after naming 100 candidates

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain today demanded that the government immediately publish a clear roadmap for the upcoming local government elections.

He made the demand at a press conference at the party’s central office in Dhaka’s Banglamotor area after NCP announced the names of 100 candidates for the polls.

Criticising the government for not specifying when the elections would be held, Asif said, “The government is saying the elections will be held very soon. But how long is this ‘very soon’? It could be five months, or it could be five years.”

He demanded a specific timeline for city corporation, upazila and municipality elections.

Asif said NCP’s local government election steering committee had announced the first list of 100 candidates, with the remaining names to be declared in phases.

He said the candidates would start strengthening organisational activities and election preparations immediately.

Questioning the level playing field, he said many administrators currently in charge of local bodies were seeking votes and putting up posters in different areas while still holding office.

“Those serving as administrators cannot contest while holding their posts. They must resign if they want to take part in the elections. Otherwise, the polls will become controversial and one-sided from the beginning,” he said.

Criticising the law and order situation and recent border killings, Asif said the elected government had failed to ensure public security.

He urged the government to take a strong diplomatic position over border killings and summon the Indian high commissioner to seek an explanation.

Referring to the situation in India’s West Bengal and Assam, he said NCP was observing attacks and bulldozer actions against Muslims in West Bengal after the election and strongly condemned such incidents.

He also described remarks by the Assam chief minister regarding “push back” as offensive and sensitive.

“The government is failing to take a clear diplomatic stand. It must raise its voice to protect Bangladesh’s interests,” he said.

Asif also demanded that Sheikh Hasina be sent back to Bangladesh from India.

“Sheikh Hasina is now a death penalty convict in Bangladesh. The Indian government should return her to Bangladesh immediately. If Suvendu Adhikari (chief minister of West Bengal) wants, he can send her to the airport. The rest will be dealt with here,” he said.

On candidate selection, Asif said the first list included acceptable candidates from different backgrounds, including former BNP and Jamaat activists, independents, and former Awami League activists who supported the July movement.

He said NCP was currently preparing to contest the polls alone, though the issue of alliance would depend on future discussions.

Expressing concern over the measles outbreak, he called for it to be declared a national crisis and demanded an investigation into negligence in the vaccination programme.

Earlier, NCP Chief Organiser (northern region) Sarjis Alam announced names of 100 candidates. He said more than 1,000 applications had been submitted by aspirants seeking NCP backing in the local government elections.

“We are initially announcing the names of 100 candidates. We hope to announce another 100 names in the second phase before Eid-ul-Azha, on the 20th of this month. The announcement process will continue,” he said.