NCP for Simultaneous Constituent Assembly and Parliamentary Polls
The National Citizen's Party (NCP) has proposed holding constituent assembly elections alongside parliamentary elections to draft a new constitution aimed at establishing a 'Second Republic.'
The party's convener, Nahid Islam, put forward this idea on Tuesday, emphasizing that simultaneous elections could pave the way for a new governance structure and a transformed Bangladesh.
Nahid Islam argued that the existing constitution and governance model are insufficient for rebuilding the nation.
He stressed that merely changing the government would not bring true democracy or serve public welfare.
According to him, the constituent assembly election would help create a genuinely democratic constitution that reflects the aspirations of the people.
Earlier in the day, senior leaders of the NCP paid tribute to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar.
Following this, Nahid Islam, accompanied by party leaders, visited the Rayerbazar Martyrs’ Cemetery to offer prayers for those who died during the July uprising.
During these visits, Nahid reiterated the party's stance on the need for constitutional and structural reforms.
The NCP leader highlighted that the uprisings and sacrifices made by the students and the public were not just for a change in government but for a complete overhaul of the state’s governance model.
He envisioned a new Bangladesh built on justice, equality, and true democracy.
Addressing the media, Nahid Islam explained that the NCP’s mission is to draft a new constitution embodying the aspirations of all struggles from 1947 to 2024.
He criticized the existing constitution, describing it as a tool for fostering fascism and one-party rule.
Despite achieving independence through the 1971 Liberation War, he claimed that Bangladesh's sovereignty has repeatedly been at risk and that democratic institutions have frequently collapsed.
In Rayerbazar, Nahid demanded that an interim government prosecute those responsible for killings over the past 15 years and during the July uprising.
He called for a swift national dialogue in collaboration with the National Consensus Commission to implement the July Charter and Declaration.
Since its official launch last Friday, the NCP has begun its activities with these tribute ceremonies.
Nahid Islam stated that the party’s immediate goal is to expand its organizational network nationwide and complete the drafting of its constitution within this month to fulfill the requirements for registration as a political party.
Meanwhile, Sarjis Alam, the NCP's chief organizer for the northern region, delivered a speech at Rayerbazar, demanding the execution of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whom he accused of being responsible for recent killings.
Hasanat Abdullah, the chief organizer for the southern region, echoed these sentiments, stressing that justice must be swiftly delivered, even if it requires increasing the number of special tribunals.
Key leaders, including NCP’s member secretary Akhtar Hossain, chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, and senior joint chief coordinator Abdul Hannan Masud, were also present during the tributes and prayer sessions.
