NCP demands trial of July killings before elections

Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) on Friday demanded the visible trial proceedings of the July killings and implementation of the July reform charter before holding the national election.

“But before going to any election, we have been saying over and over again – we want to see the visible trial proceedings of killings and implementation of the July Charter of reforms. Then we will have to move towards the election,” said NCP Convener Nahid Islam at a press conference in the city.

Replying to a question, he said it does not seem to him that it is impossible to hold the national election in December. It will depend mainly on political will and political consensus to hold the constituent assembly election and the national election together, he added.

“If we can reach that consensus, then it is actually possible to hold the constituent assembly and national parliament elections together within the desired timeframe,” said Nahid.

The press conference was arranged following the first general meeting of the NCP central committee at Rupayan Tower in the city’s Bangla Motor area.

About his interview with Reuters, Nahid there were some misquotations and wrong translations.  “About the current situation, I didn't say it exactly like that it is not possible to hold an election this year. I said it would be much more difficult to hold an election in the current deteriorated law and order situation,” he said.

He claimed that he told Reuters that the current police administration has no experience in conducting fair elections as their capabilities have not been tested for a long time. And so, the law-and-order situation must be improved before the elections.

“NCP has the mentality and preparation for the election,” said Nahid Islam.

The NCP chief also noted that he told the Reuters that the well-off people and well-wishers from the society are providing financial support to them.

“We are moving towards crowdfunding with both online and offline focuses. We will raise election and office establishment funds through crowdfunding. But it has been translated incorrectly in various media outlets in the country,” he said, requesting the media outlets to correct those.

Women’s Safety

Expressing grave concerns over the recent violence against women in different parts of the country, Nahid urged the interim government to take a strict stance to ensure women's safety in public spaces and bring the perpetrators to justice soon.

He said they strongly condemn and protest against all the incidents of violence taking place against women. “We strongly condemn and protest against all those incidents. And on behalf of the NCP, we express concern over this existing situation,” he said.

Earlier, NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen said the NCP will arrange an iftar mahfil at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan in the city on March 10 for the martyrs’ families and injured persons during the 2024 July-August movement.

The new party will also host an iftar party for leaders of the political parties, civil society members, businessmen and noted personalities on March 11 next.

NCP central leaders, including its chief organiser for the southern region Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser for the northern region Sarjis Alam and chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, were present.

On Friday last, NCP was officially launched as a new political platform floated by student activists of the July Movement.