NCP Says Elections in Bangladesh Impossible Without Implementing July Charter

NCP Warns Against Elections Without July Charter Implementation

With Bangladesh’s political climate heating up ahead of next year’s national polls, the National Citizen Party (NCP) has asserted that holding elections without the implementation of the July Charter would be impossible and “undemocratic.”

Speaking to journalists after a party event in Rangpur district, NCP Convener Nahid Islam said the July Charter was the outcome of the mass uprising earlier in the year, and therefore must be implemented before any national election can take place.

“We want quick elections. But for those elections, stability and trust are needed. The people's expectation was to establish an effective and accountable government after the mass uprising. Now it is our responsibility to fulfill that expectation,” Nahid said, as quoted by Jugantor.

Elections Without Reform ‘Not Sustainable’

Nahid emphasized that elections lacking reform, justice, and reflection of public aspirations would fail to sustain.

“We believe that if elections are held without taking into account the minimum aspirations of the people, reforms and justice, then those elections will not be sustainable,” he said.

The NCP, which has been campaigning for constitutional and institutional reforms under the July Charter framework, insists that without implementing the Charter’s provisions, any electoral process would lack legitimacy.

Warning Against Corruption and ‘Social Fascism’

The NCP leader also criticized the current political environment, saying that after August 5, a new form of politics characterized by “corruption, extortion and occupation” had emerged.

He warned that Bangladesh is witnessing the rise of social fascism, where political and economic power is being consolidated by a few at the expense of democratic institutions.

“For durable and stable change, we want to implement minimum reforms, including some constitutional amendments. If obstacles arise or the government delays the process, both the government and the obstructing forces will have to face the people,” Nahid cautioned.

Background: The July Charter and Reform Demands

The July Charter, formulated after mass protests earlier in 2025, outlines a set of political and constitutional reforms aimed at establishing transparency, accountability, and proportional representation in governance.

The NCP has consistently demanded that the government adopt the Consensus Commission’s recommendations and implement the Charter through legal means, including referendum-backed constitutional amendments.

Earlier this week, NCP leaders reiterated that the party would only sign or participate in the Charter’s implementation process if its reform clauses are formally incorporated into law.

Conclusion

As Bangladesh prepares for its next general elections, the NCP’s message adds to the growing political discourse on reform and legitimacy.

By linking electoral credibility to the July Charter’s implementation, the party is positioning itself as a pro-reform voice advocating for structural change, accountability, and people-driven governance.

Whether the government heeds this demandor proceeds without itmay determine not just the credibility of the upcoming elections, but the future trajectory of Bangladesh’s democratic process.