The spokesperson of the National Citizen Party (NCP), Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, has alleged that the Election Commission (EC) is behaving in a biased manner.
He expressed concern that the EC is showing undue leniency toward a particular group and warned that the upcoming election appears to be heading in the same direction as the previous three controversial elections.
He made these remarks at a press conference held on Saturday night at the NCP’s central office in Banglamotor, Dhaka.
Asif Mahmud said: “Tomorrow (Sunday) is a ‘red line’ for the Election Commission. If, on the final day of appeal hearings, the Commission allows any loan defaulters or individuals holding dual citizenship to contest the election, we will take to the streets and initiate legal action. We will not allow the EC to conduct another negligent and compromise-driven election like the previous three.”
He further alleged that several individuals, despite holding dual citizenship, are attempting to exert influence by approaching the Election Commission, which he described as a grave threat to democracy. He categorically asserted that no foreign citizen would be allowed to participate in Bangladesh’s elections.
At the press conference, Asif Mahmud also criticized the role of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), saying: "Although the BNP claims to be a custodian of democracy, in reality they are working against it.”
He warned that the NCP would take action against the Election Commission if it committed any mistakes or demonstrated bias.
NCP Joint Member Secretary Zahidul Islam Musa alleged that many BNP candidates are loan defaulters, yet returning officers have declared their nominations valid in a biased manner.
He further claimed that the Election Commission is attempting to provide its own interpretation of the Constitution regarding dual citizenship, which he described as extremely dangerous.
“The Commission’s duty is to follow the law, not to interpret it,” he said.
NCP leaders issued a stern warning, stating that if the Election Commission fails to uphold its dignity as an independent institution, it will be confronted both politically and legally. They reaffirmed that the National Citizen Party will not allow loan defaulters or individuals with dual citizenship to participate in the election by exploiting any legal loopholes.
