Jatiya Nagarik Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has warned of possible street protests if the Election Commission (EC) does not adopt a neutral stance regarding the validation of nomination papers for loan defaulters and dual citizens.
Nahid said, “Under pressure from BNP, EC has validated the nomination papers of loan defaulters and dual citizens. If EC does not immediately return to a neutral position, the 10-party alliance, including NCP, will be forced to take streets.”
He made these remarks while speaking at a press briefing on Monday evening after meeting Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at the state guest house Jamuna.
Criticising BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, Nahid asked, “Does he want to pressure EC to come to power again through another rigged election? Does he want to send loan defaulters and dual citizens to parliament? If they attempt such an election like the last three, the people of the country will not accept it.”
He alleged that student wings have been mobilised in front of the EC over the past two days and said, “If loan defaulters and dual citizens are saved by applying pressure, then we will take to the field, demanding that they be kept out of the election.”
NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shajib Bhuiyan added that 31 loan defaulters and an equal number of dual citizens, mostly from the BNP, had their nominations validated. “This will not be accepted. We will take legal action and, if necessary, take to the streets,” he said.
He also highlighted a perceived double standard in the EC’s actions, saying, “We are being issued show-cause notices for campaigning in favor of the Yes vote. Yet, banners and festoons of Tarique Rahman are hung all over Dhaka city, and the EC remains indifferent.”
The four-member NCP delegation, led by Nahid Islam, met with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus around 5pm to discuss these issues and stressed that the government would be responsible if the upcoming election is not conducted fairly.
Asif Mahmud urged all stakeholders and political parties to act responsibly, warning that public patience may not last if fairness is not ensured.
NSA
