Nahid says, but first wants July charter, progress in uprising killing trials
Photo: Collected
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Photo: Collected
The National Citizen Party is practically ready for elections at any time, its Convener Nahid Islam said yesterday.
He, however, added that his party wants the “July Charter” in effect and visible progress towards justice for the July killings before the national election.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star’s Google News channel. “We said we wanted to see a constituent assembly election in addition to the national parliament election. However, the election is not our only demand at this moment… We also want to see a visible trial process. We want the July Charter, which was supposed to be signed by all [parties], to be implemented before the election,” Nahid told a press briefing.
The briefing was held at Banglamotor following the first general meeting of the NCP.
Nahid said the implementation of the July Charter will allow the general public to see which political parties are in favour of or against reforming the state.
The NCP wants to see the rapid implementation of a July Proclamation as well, Nahid said, adding that the charter and proclamation are two different things.
The proclamation was demanded by the students much earlier while the Charter was mentioned by the chief adviser.
Responding to a question, Nahid said it would be possible to hold both the constituent assembly and national parliament elections within the desired timeframe if political consensus could be reached.
“I do not think it’s impossible to hold the polls in December even if it is an election to the constituent assembly. It primarily depends on political will and consensus.”
Referring to an interview he gave to Reuters, Nahid said his statements were mistranslated by various media outlets on Thursday.
“I did not say that [holding] an election this year was not possible. I said given the current law and order situation and the weak state of police, holding elections would be extremely challenging.”
Besides, the police officers lack recent experience in working while a fair election is held, he said.
“From that standpoint, we said that the policing system and law and order situation must be improved before elections could be held. The government, political parties, and various social forces must come forward and cooperate to achieve that.”
Nahid said the NCP leaders strongly condemned the incidents of rape, sexual harassment and other forms of violence against women.
“We call upon the interim government to take a firm stance to ensure women’s safety. We demand that perpetrators be brought to justice.”
He said the female members of the NCP and its student wing had been the target of cyberbullying by the Awami League activists.
TRANSPARENCY IN FUNDING
“We want transparency in who is providing financial support [for a political party] and how it is being spent. This culture of accountability should be adopted by all political parties…”
But the NCP alone cannot develop a political culture, Nahid said.
“If we disclose the names of people who financially support us, the government must ensure that they will not face any harm. In reality, this culture of transparency has not yet been established in Bangladesh.”
Nahid then sought support from honest individuals who wanted to rebuild the country.
As a people’s party, the NCP will be run by people’s money, he said.
“We formed a financial policy team, and are discussing with Bangladeshi economists at home and abroad to develop a political-financial policy. We will present this policy to you in the future.”
Responding to a question, he said, “It will take us more time to express our stance on forming alliances….”
STUDENTS AGAINST DISCRIMINATION CEASED TO EXIST
“The Students Against Discrimination is no longer in its previous form. A student body has been formed, and a political party has emerged. We call upon the law enforcement agencies to take legal action against anyone who uses this identity for wrongdoing.”
NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen said the party would hold an Iftar party at Suhrawardy Udyan on Monday with the families of those injured and killed in the July mass uprising.
It will host another Iftar party the following day for political parties, civil society members, business leaders and diplomats.