Highlights:
- July Charter must not become a ‘document of deception’
- Calls for transparent draft preparation by Consensus Commission
- Split among parties over July Charter implementation
- Alliance decision yet to be made, options remain open
- NCP welcomes RPO reform but warns against political interference
- Reiterates contesting polls under ‘Shapla’ symbol
The National Citizen Party (NCP) will sign the July Charter only after the assurance of its implementation through an order and referendum, the party’s Member Secretary Akhter Hossen said today (25 October).
“The signing of the July Charter was merely a formality. Its implementation will only be ensured through the issuance of an order and a referendum. The NCP will sign the charter only after getting such assurance Akhter said while talking to reporters after a meeting with the National Consensus Commission.
He also said, “The government must issue an order on the July Charter to empower the next parliament with constituent authority, enabling it to carry out fundamental constitutional reforms through a referendum. And that constitution would then be known as the Amended Constitution 2026.”
The NCP leader added that the Consensus Commission has yet to assure them of providing a draft of the July Charter order.
“However, we want to ensure that the draft is not influenced by any political party,” he said.
Alliance decision yet to be made, options remain open
Speaking about joining any alliance, the NCP leader said the party has yet to begin formal discussions on forming an alliance for the upcoming election.
However, he said, “The party keeps alliance options open and willing to work with any political party for the sake of the country.”
He went on to say that the party is currently holding talks with all parties on implementing the charter.
Charter must not become a ‘document of deception’
He said the Consensus Commission must prepare and share the draft of the order to ensure transparency and to prevent the Charter from becoming “a document of deception”.
July Charter will be ‘fraud and farce with the nation’ without legal foundation, warns NCP
Akhter noted that the commission had not assured them of access to the draft but stressed that it should not be based on the position of any one political group.
Akhter said political parties that signed the July Charter are now divided into two groups — one seeking to withdraw their signatures and another attempting to obstruct its implementation.
Note of Dissent should remain as historical record
Regarding the Note of Dissent submitted by political parties to the commission, he said the documents should remain as a historical record rather than something to be implemented.
“What the political parties have agreed upon and what the commission has decided must be implemented. Such long discussions were not held for the implementation of the Note of Dissent,” he said.
NCP welcomes RPO amendments but warns against political interference
Regarding amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO), Akhter said the NCP viewed the reform positively but criticised what he called attempts by some political parties to obstruct the process through personal connections.
He warned that if the government retreats from the RPO amendment due to any party’s objection, it would indicate a move towards “handing over power in line with the London meeting,” referring to the chief adviser’s meeting with BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
Akhter reiterates contesting polls under ‘Shapla’ symbol
Akhter added that every party should contest the election with its own symbol.
“We are fighting for our Shapla (Water Lily) symbol and will contest the election under it,” he said.
NCP’s meeting with the commission began at 11:30am in the LD Hall of the parliament complex.
Led by Akhter, the NCP delegation included joint conveners Sarwar Tushar, Javed Rasin and Khaled Saifullah, as well as Joint Member Secretary Zahirul Islam Musa.
With NCC Vice-Chairman Professor Ali Riaz in the chair, the meeting was conducted by Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haider.