The Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) has expressed concern over the Election Commission’s announcement of a roadmap for the 13th parliamentary elections, calling it premature and a breach of commitment made by the interim government.
At a press conference held at the party’s central office at Bangla Motor in the capital on Thursday night, NCP Joint Convener Ariful Islam Adeeb said that the election roadmap should have come only after finalizing the legal basis and implementation process of the July Charter. “Announcing the election roadmap without resolving key issues related to the July Charter undermines public expectations and breaks the promise made by the Consensus Commission and the interim government,” he stated.
Adeeb recalled that the July uprising had created expectations for justice and systemic reforms. In response, the government had formed various reform commissions, where NCP, along with other political parties, submitted recommendations.
“We called for elections to a Constituent Assembly, while others proposed referendums and constitutional reform meetings. These proposals are directly tied to the preparation for credible elections,” he noted.
He criticized the postponement of the next Consensus Commission meeting and the lack of legal clarity around the July Charter.“We had hoped for a reform roadmap before an electoral one. The absence of such sequencing is disappointing,” he said.
Despite the criticism, NCP reiterated its support for holding national elections. “We are not against elections. They are necessary for democratic transition. However, rushing into the process without a clear legal foundation for the July Charter could lead to a future crisis, and the government must bear that responsibility,” Adeeb warned.
Chief Organizer (South) Hasnat Abdullah, Joint Member Secretary Arif Sohel, and other party leaders were present on the occasion.
