The delay has left the eight‑month‑old party facing a growing challenge as the February parliamentary polls approach. Party leaders say their priority is to ensure the July Charter receives a binding legal foundation and that justice for the victims of the July uprising is visibly pursued before they fully engage in election campaigning.
NCP Senior Joint Convener Ariful Islam Adeeb told reporters the party entered politics to press for constitutional reform and to honour the sacrifices of those involved in the July uprising. He said the party will not rush election preparations until the charter’s legal basis is confirmed, and that all party activity is currently focused on securing that recognition.
Convener Nahid Islam has also expressed concern that a level playing field has not yet been established. Speaking at a recent press briefing, Nahid questioned administrative impartiality — particularly personnel decisions by the Ministry of Public Administration — and said the party is monitoring whether transfers and appointments are being made on merit or for partisan reasons. He said the party’s candidate list will be finalised soon but that NCP will watch for fairness in the run‑up to the polls.
A separate dispute with the Election Commission (EC) over the Shapla symbol is further complicating the situation. EC sources say the commission may allocate an alternative symbol if Shapla is not granted, but NCP leaders insist they will accept no symbol other than Shapla and have warned they could take to the streets to press their demands. The party has questioned the EC’s decision‑making and accused it of arbitrary behaviour.
The combination of the charter legal‑basis fight, the symbol standoff, and concerns over administrative neutrality has left the NCP in a cautious posture as other parties accelerate election preparations. Party leaders say they remain open to talks but are prepared to resort to street actions if they feel excluded from an equitable electoral process.
Key facts
NCP is prioritising legal validation of the July National Charter before full election campaigning.
The party insists on the electoral symbol Shapla and disputes any EC decision to allocate an alternative.
NCP leaders have warned of street protests if they are prevented from contesting under their preferred conditions.
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