The National Citizen Party (NCP) has raised strong criticism over the government’s handling of the July Charter and the roadmap for the upcoming national election.
Speaking at a press conference in the capital on Thursday, NCP Senior Joint Convenor Ariful Islam Adib said the interim government, entrusted with justice and reforms after the sacrifices of thousands of martyrs during the July uprising, has failed to provide a clear legal framework for implementing the July Charter.
“The draft of the Charter has recently been submitted to us by the National Consensus Commission (NCC), and we provided our feedback. However, the absence of a defined implementation process is deeply disappointing,” he added.
Adib stressed that the NCC proposed six methods for implementation of the July Charter, including call for a constitutional assembly election, while other parties suggested referendums.
“Ignoring these consultations and instructing the Election Commission to prepare only for national elections shows that the government has already made unilateral decisions, contradicting the intended process of political dialogue,” he said.
He clarified, “We are not against elections. We view the election roadmap positively, but preparations without finalising the July Charter’s legal framework could create future crises, for which the government will be responsible.”
NCP Joint Secretary Arif Sohel outlined the party’s upcoming campaign, emphasising election-related objectives.
“From August 29 to September 1, NCP will launch the ‘New Constitution, Justice, and Reform’ campaign, including courtyard meetings in 27 upazilas across nine divisions, alongside organisational gatherings with party members.
The campaign seeks to raise awareness about the need for a constitutional assembly election and constitutional reforms, aligning with the demands from the July uprising,” he said.
Sohel added that the campaign is part of a phased plan that will ultimately cover all 495 upazilas in Bangladesh.
“The first phase runs from August 29 to September 1, with further phases and detailed programmes to be announced later,” he noted.