The Jatiya Nagarik Party (NCP) has officially announced its mayoral candidates for five major City Corporations, including both Dhaka North and South. The announcement was made during a press conference held on Sunday night at the party’s central office in Banglamotor, Dhaka.
The Mayoral Lineup
As per the announcement, the NCP candidates for the upcoming local government elections are:
Dhaka South City Corporation: Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain (Party Spokesperson).
Dhaka North City Corporation: Ariful Islam Adil.
Cumilla City Corporation: Tarikul Islam.
Rajshahi City Corporation: Mobasher Ali.
Sylhet City Corporation: Abdur Rahman Afzal.
Allegations of Constitutional Violation
During the briefing, NCP Convener Nahid Islam accused the current elected government of violating the constitution by appointing administrators to local bodies.
“The government is politicizing every institution by appointing hand-picked administrators,” Nahid Islam alleged. He also expressed deep skepticism regarding the possibility of a fair election under the current Election Commission. Regarding potential alliances, he noted that a decision on whether to contest as a coalition would be announced later.
NCP’s Five-Point Demand
Earlier in the session, NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain criticized the BNP, claiming the party is “engaged in a game of seizing local government power rather than serving the people.” He placed a five-point demand to ensure a level playing field, including:
Election Timeline: Local government elections must be held within the next six months.
Neutral Appointments: Political affiliates must not be appointed at the Upazila level.
Candidacy Restrictions: The BNP must not nominate individuals who were previously appointed as administrators.
Non-Partisan Polls: Elections should not be held under party symbols.
Administrative Neutrality & Exclusion: The administration must remain neutral to ensure participatory polls, and the Awami League must be barred from participating in the elections.
Political Context
The NCP’s announcement marks a strategic entry into the local government race, positioning itself as a third-stream alternative to the BNP and the interim administrative structure. By demanding an end to party-symbol-based elections, the NCP aims to capitalize on grassroots support beyond traditional party lines.
