‘Election in Feb still uncertain’
National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary yesterday said there is still uncertainty about whether the election will be held in February.
"The government is pressing hard to hold the election in February. But regarding the July Charter's legal perspective, no solution has been reached yet," he told reporters after meeting Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the EC headquarters in Dhaka.
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Patwary alleged that because of the "hypocrisy" of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, the country cannot move towards the polls. He urged the parties to reach agreement on the legal basis and implementation method of the July Charter and join the election.
He said the party could win around 150 seats in the polls, with preparations underway to field candidates in all 300 constituencies.
He said NCP remains committed to a fair election but with the completion of reforms and a quick transition to restore democracy.
Asked how many seats BNP and Jamaat will get, he said, "BNP will not go above 50 to 100 seats. But you can see the real scenario now -- which way things are sinking. It will happen."
Patwary said NCP would remain with its own banner and symbol. "Other parties will be dissolved, and many will come under the NCP. We are going to make this a major party," he said, adding that NCP is adamant on PR in the upper house only.
The NCP leader also reiterated the demand for its proposed symbol, the shapla (water lily), despite disputes over its availability on the EC's list.
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