National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam on Thursday urged the Election Commission to remain neutral, warning that any election result that is not fair and acceptable will be rejected.
He made the remarks as a special guest at a public rally organised by the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka-15 unit in support of 10-party alliance candidate Shafiqur Rahman in the Dhaka-15 constituency.
Nahid Islam said no form of discrimination would be tolerated and reminded the Election Commission of its constitutional responsibilities, cautioning that while the alliance is currently pressing its demands through dialogue, it is prepared to take to the field if forced.
“We are still speaking; we have not taken to the streets yet because we want to enter the field for the election,” he said, warning the authorities not to push them into a protest movement.
Referring to the polls scheduled for 12 February, he said there is no alternative to a fair election and called on the commission to apply the same code of conduct to all alliances, adding that people would not accept discriminatory treatment against any party.
He also expressed concern over the announcement of various benefit cards ahead of the election, arguing that such benefits would not reach ordinary people unless bribery and extortion are effectively stopped.
Nahid Islam criticised attempts to grant nominations to loan defaulters, describing such moves as a double standard.
Describing the upcoming vote as more than a routine change of government, he said the election would serve as a referendum to change the country’s power structure, with people delivering a mandate against nepotism, corruption, discrimination and dominance.
