The Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) has called on the Election Commission to announce the upcoming election schedule only after thoroughly assessing the current political situation, warning that premature decisions could risk further instability.

NCP Convener Nahid Islam delivered the message on Monday following a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner at the EC Secretariat in Agargaon.

He noted that the commission has yet to specify when the election timetable will be released, offering only a broad indication that it may come within the next two weeks.

Nahid said the EC must exercise “extreme caution” given the sensitive national atmosphere, adding that the commission’s internal capacity remains a concern.
According to him, some officials implicated in past corruption allegations still hold positions inside the institution despite multiple warnings from his party.
“We have repeatedly provided information to the commission. It must act decisively and remain alert,” he said.
He emphasised that the NCP wants a timely, peaceful and credible election and stands ready to cooperate.
However, he warned that any sign of bias inside the EC would prompt the party to withdraw confidence and respond strongly.
Nahid also flagged persistent allegations surrounding the appointment process for deputy commissioners and superintendents of police, arguing that the opacity of the system heightens fears of political interference.
He urged the commission to ensure that neutral officials are deployed to key administrative and law enforcement posts before voting begins.
On the issue of electoral reforms, the NCP leader expressed support for proposals allowing every political party to contest with its own symbol and identity, even within alliances.
He claimed that a major political party is attempting to pressure the government and the EC to roll back this reform so allies can run under a single symbol. When that approach failed, he said, efforts shifted to challenging the reform through a court petition.
Nahid urged the EC to stand firm against such pressure and to defend the reform both institutionally and legally, noting that the NCP would extend full support.
He further pressed the commission to strengthen scrutiny of candidate affidavits and enforce electoral laws uniformly, stressing that inaccurate disclosures must carry consequences.
Citing widespread campaign overspending and illicit financing, he said Bangladesh’s elections remain vulnerable to black money and called for stricter enforcement.
Although the NCP expects a fair and neutral vote, Nahid said concerns persist regarding the level playing field, particularly due to politically influenced postings of DCs and SPs.

Turning to the planned national referendum, he noted that the four-part question structure and the time required for each vote are still under EC review. Without a strong public awareness campaign, he warned, misinformation could spread quickly, especially targeting women candidates who often face online harassment.
Responding to questions about the timing of the schedule announcement, NCP leader Nasiruddin Patwary said the commission is moving swiftly due to the logistical complexity of managing ballots for expatriate voters.
“But we have advised them to weigh the political crisis carefully,” he said. “There is broad political consensus on holding the election on time. We believe the country is moving toward a fair election in February.”
Asked whether BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s critical health condition could affect the timeline, Patwary dismissed the possibility. “No, it will not impact the schedule,” he said.
“She devoted her life to democracy. The government and the nation respect her, and that sentiment goes beyond party politics,” he concluded.