DHAKA : National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam today said his party wants the next national election in February after a united implementation of the July charter and ensuring its full legal legitimacy, reports BSS.
“The referendum can be held either on the election day or before the election. It should rather be left to the government and the Election Commission, depending on their administrative and law-and-order capacities,” Nahid told a press conference at the party’s central office in Banglamotor here this noon.
Nahid said the July Charter must be formally proclaimed by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. Reaffirming the NCP’s position, he said the party wants a February election to be held in a united manner through the legal and institutional implementation of the July Charter.
“We are seeing confusion and unnecessary debates over whether the referendum should come before or on Election Day. BNP and Jamaat seem to have fallen into another avoidable dispute over this. But this is not an issue worth dividing over,” he added.
Nahid said all political parties should unite to implement the July Charter and ensure a peaceful transition. “Our appeal to all parties is to come together. The reform process, once agreed upon, must be carried out collectively,” he said.
He noted that the NCP continues to support the Consensus Commission’s proposals regarding constitutional and institutional reforms – including the formation of an upper house, reintroducing caretaker government, and appointments to constitutional and judicial offices.
“We believe these reforms should be endorsed through a referendum, and the government can decide the exact questions to be placed before the people,” he said.
The NCP leader reiterated that the party views elections and reforms as related but separate processes. “We are open to alliances with parties that share our core objectives – building an inclusive democratic Bangladesh, freeing the nation from fascism and foreign domination, and completing structural reforms. But if any party stands against reform, unity with them is not possible,” Nahid added.
