National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Organiser for the southern region Hasnat Abdullah has claimed that the Election Commission (EC) has become divided along party lines and lost its impartiality.
“EC members affiliated with different parties are now working to implement their respective political agendas. As a result, questions have arisen over the commission’s ability to hold a national election under its current composition,” he added.
Hasnat made the remarks on Saturday while addressing a coordination meeting organised by the NCP at the Barguna District Shilpakala Academy.
Speaking as the chief guest, the NCP leader said, the EC must clarify under which policy the NCP was granted the “Shapla Koli” symbol, and under which policy the “Shapla” symbol was not approved.
Hasnat said political parties are now divided into two camps – those in favour of reform and those against it.
“Those opposing reform have distanced themselves from real change. The future leadership will come from the reformist side. We want to join forces with these reform-minded groups in the upcoming national election,” he said.
Calling the Election Commission “incompetent and inefficient,” he said, “We had proposed holding local government elections before the national polls to assess the EC’s capacity, but the BNP opposed it.
“During Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, the commission operated without accountability. From 5 August onwards, the state must function with accountability.”
In response to a question about Islamist political parties, the NCP leader said, “I am not aware that Jamaat-e-Islami is even a party.”
Addressing his party members, Hasnat said, “Our goal is to strengthen the organisation in line with the central committee’s directives and expand it to the grassroots.
“The Barguna District NCP is now working in unity. The formation of convening committees is underway across the country, and this coordination meeting is part of that process. We hope to announce the district committee in the first week of November.”
The meeting was also attended by NCP Joint Member Secretary and Education and Research Secretary Faisal Mahmud Shanto, Barishal Divisional Joint Convener and Organising Secretary Mujahidul Islam Shaheen, among others.
