As Bangladesh prepares for the upcoming general elections, the National Citizen Party (NCP) has cast doubts on the Election Commission’s (EC) ability to conduct impartial polls. The NCP spokesperson, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, expressed concerns during a press briefing in Dhaka, stating that the EC may not ensure fair elections. The party highlighted alleged violations of laws in the candidacies’ approval process, questioning the commission’s impartiality.
The NCP spokesperson criticized the EC for allegedly legitimizing candidacies in breach of constitutional and legal regulations. The Daily Star quoted Asif as saying that the commission’s actions may compromise the fairness of the election. Asif also accused the EC of favoring a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate with dual citizenship by allowing external pressure during the validation process.
Amidst escalating political tensions, the BNP’s Secretary General, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, urged the EC to maintain neutrality following a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner in Dhaka. The BNP’s student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), staged a protest outside the EC headquarters, alleging bias in postal ballot and student union election decisions. Additionally, a Jamaat-e-Islami delegation met with the interim government’s Chief Advisor to address concerns over alleged biased conduct by certain officials at the field level.
The upcoming elections in Bangladesh, scheduled for February 12, are unfolding against a backdrop of heightened political discord and factional disputes.
