Nahid at NCP Press Conference: Major Political Party Lacking Maturity

NCP Blames Election Commission for Ishraq Hossain Oath Crisis, Demands Immediate Reform

At an emergency press conference held Tuesday night at its temporary central office in Banglamotor, the National Citizen Party (NCP) held the Election Commission (EC) responsible for the ongoing crisis surrounding the swearing-in of BNP leader Ishraq Hossain as mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation. The party declared it has lost confidence in the current commission and called for its immediate reconstitution. Announcing a protest rally to be held Wednesday at noon in front of the EC office in Agargaon, the NCP emphasized that restoring credibility in the EC is essential, particularly ahead of local government elections.

NCP convenor Nahid Islam criticized what he described as the political immaturity of a major party, accusing it of destabilizing the city through protests, office blockades, and threats of larger disruption. He claimed the EC created the current crisis by failing to contest or appeal the court verdict in Ishraq’s favor, effectively favoring one political side. He reiterated that without reform, the current EC cannot be trusted to oversee any election—local or national.

In response to concerns that calls for local polls might delay national elections, Nahid clarified that NCP supports the election timeline proposed by the Chief Adviser and is not seeking delays. He argued that holding local government elections beforehand would foster a more credible environment for parliamentary polls and demonstrate the competence of the interim government and EC—once restructured.

Addressing unrelated allegations, Nahid also dismissed claims linking Dhaka North City Corporation administrator Mohammad Ejaz to the NCP, calling them politically motivated. However, he welcomed a government investigation into the accusations, urging action if they prove baseless.

Echoing Nahid’s views, NCP principal coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwari slammed the EC’s conduct, calling its formation illegal and accusing it of acting like a party spokesperson. A written statement read by member secretary Akhter Hossen held the EC responsible for the fallout from the “illegal” 2020 DSCC election, warning that its biased role has created a nationwide precedent of legal challenges and administrative deadlock.

The statement concluded that the lack of elected representatives was hampering service delivery and social protection efforts. It urged immediate local government elections, asserting that the current EC, “formed under fascist law,” was unfit to oversee the process.

Senior NCP leaders including Hasnat Abdullah, Ariful Islam Adib, and Tasnim Jara were also present at the event.