Dhaka, Aug 20 (V7N)- National Citizens Party (NCP) Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam has said the presidential election is not being conducted in accordance with the proposed political reforms.
He made the remarks while speaking to reporters at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Thursday (August 20) during the presidential election.
Nahid Islam alleged that the government had disregarded the verdict of the referendum and betrayed the broader anti-fascist movement.
“The government has cheated on all our anti-fascist movements,” he said, alleging that party influence has extended across the country and different levels of the administration.
He further alleged that the same approach was being followed in the presidential election, with the ruling party nominating candidates and effectively determining the outcome without providing an opportunity for a genuinely competitive vote.
According to Nahid, the process does not demonstrate a commitment to democratic principles.
He said the current election would not help establish a balance of power between the president and the prime minister, which he said had been one of the objectives of the proposed reforms.
Nahid said the opposition was nevertheless participating in the election to take a political position and send a message to the people that it respects democracy.
He added that although the government had not implemented the proposed reforms, the opposition had fielded a candidate in the presidential election to make the contest more competitive.
The NCP leader said their participation would help keep the reform issue in public discussion and increase people’s awareness of the presidential election process.
END/SMA/AJ
