Nasiruddin Patwary, chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has accused the Election Commission (EC) of acting as a mouthpiece for the BNP, calling it a matter of national shame and a barrier to holding a free and fair general election.
He levelled the accusation on Wednesday while addressing a protest rally in front of the Election Commission headquarters, Nirbachan Bhaban, in Agargaon.
The rally was organized to demand the reconstitution of the commission and the immediate holding of local government elections.
The demonstration began at 11:30am and continued until 2pm.
Earlier, party activists had staged protests by marching in small processions and gathering on the street in front of the EC building.
Around 1:30pm, they crossed the police barricade and assembled near the main entrance to the building, causing brief tension but no untoward incidents.
Senior party leaders, including Patwary and central Joint Member Secretary Sarwar Tushar, later joined the protest and delivered speeches.
Referring to those appointed under the 2022 election law, Patwary alleged their involvement in what he termed the three rigged elections orchestrated by the Hasina regime.
He demanded their immediate removal and legal action against them, warning that failure to do so would prompt students and citizens to launch strong movements.
Patwary asserted that no national election will be free and fair without a complete restructuring of the commission and proposed that local elections be held first as a test case following the reconstitution.
He accused former prime minister Sheikh Hasina of destroying the EC and reiterated that the NCP will not participate in the national election unless the commission is restructured based on the recommendations of a consensus-based commission.
Criticizing the BNP’s demonstrations in front of Nagar Bhaban, Patwary alleged that BNP supporters are staging protests with funds from the Awami League.
He claimed similar scenarios are unfolding across the country and cited Comilla as an example, where remarks on the issue led to criticism of Hasnat Abdullah, a move Patwary strongly condemned.
He further alleged that some of the government’s advisers are acting as spokespersons for the BNP and warned them to refrain from doing so or else they will face consequences.
He particularly criticized Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul for his recent statements.
On the recent comments made by BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed, Patwary stated that while they once considered him a victim, his latest remarks were a betrayal of the blood of the July martyrs.
He accused Salahuddin of conspiring against the country with directives from India and firmly stated that any deviation from the "July Declaration" will not be tolerated.