Leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) have called for the reconstitution of the Election Commission, alleging that the current body lacks neutrality and transparency.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at the Jamuna State Guest House on Wednesday evening, NCP Convener Nahid Islam said the demand was formally raised during the discussion.
Nahid said the party delegation shared their concerns about the Election Commission’s conduct and performance, noting that it was failing to act as an impartial constitutional body.
“We told the chief adviser that the current Election Commission is neither neutral nor transparent. It is showing bias towards some parties while behaving unfairly towards others,” he said.
The NCP leader alleged that the commission’s actions were politically influenced, particularly regarding the allocation of electoral symbols. The party has long accused the commission of deliberately denying its preferred ‘Shapla’ symbol under external pressure.
The meeting was attended by NCP northern region chief organiser Sarjis Alam, senior joint convener Samanta Sharmin, and joint convener Khaled Saifullah.
Nahid said they also discussed the July Charter and conveyed that the party would only sign it once a clear framework for implementation is ensured.
“We told the chief adviser that a constitutional order is required, which he himself must sign. Since this order cannot be issued by President Md Shahabuddin, it has to come from Muhammad Yunus,” he said.
The NCP delegation also raised concerns about the administration and the Advisory Council. Nahid said they sought clarification on the basis of recent transfers and appointments in the civil and police administration.
“We have heard about partisan divisions within the bureaucracy and even within the Advisory Council. We requested the chief adviser to take action against those accused of bias,” he added.
The current Election Commission, headed by retired secretary AMM Nasir Uddin, was appointed by President Md Shahabuddin on 21 November last year following the mass uprising.
The other commissioners are former additional secretary Anwarul Islam Sarkar, former district and sessions judge Abdur Rahmanel Mashud, former joint secretary Begum Tahmida Ahmed, and retired Brigadier General Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah.
