NCP accuses government of interfering in election commission

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has alleged that officials of the Election Commission (EC) and the government are making contradictory statements about the date and process of the local government elections. The party also expressed concern over the independent role of the Election Commission.

In a joint statement on Tuesday (September 15), NCP Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain said, “After Election Commissioner Abul Fazl Md. Sanaullah spoke about the possible schedule for the seven phases of the local government elections, State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam said the EC had not held any discussions with the government on the matter. Later, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed’s statement further intensified questions about the independence of the commission.”

The NCP said the Election Commission needs to have the freedom to make its own decisions as a constitutional institution. However, following the government’s statement, the EC secretary’s position has made the issue of executive influence over the commission clear. This has raised concerns about whether the local government elections will be free and fair.

In the statement, the NCP alleged that instead of strengthening state institutions, the current government is trying to expand partisan influence.

Calling for the Election Commission to be kept free from government influence and allowed to perform its duties independently, NCP leaders said, “If interference by the executive branch is not stopped, resistance will be built on the streets with the people against it.”