City and District Council Administrators Cannot Contest Elections: Nahid Islam

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), stated that sitting administrators of city corporations and district councils cannot participate in local government elections. Speaking at a street rally in Jatrabari, Dhaka, on Saturday, he also demanded the immediate withdrawal of remarks made by the State Minister for Local Government. The event included leaflet distribution to build support for a mass protest scheduled for October 30 against rising living costs, utility price hikes, and deteriorating law and order.

Criticizing the current legislative landscape, the NCP leader argued that the parliament formed after a 16-year wait holds negligible public value. He questioned whether the current parliament could complete its full tenure, alleging that the opposition's voice and public sentiment are entirely suppressed. According to him, an ineffective legislative system will fail to deliver genuine democratic governance to the nation.

Addressing the worsening security and energy situation, Nahid Islam demanded the immediate resignations of the Home Minister and the Energy Minister. He claimed that restoring stability in law and order is impossible under the current home administration, while the energy sector's mismanagement demands ministerial accountability. He further warned that cosmetic constitution reform initiatives would be rejected outright by the populace.

Touching on local governance in the capital, he criticized the prospect of the Dhaka South City Corporation administrator being announced as a mayoral candidate by the BNP, arguing that it compromises fair electoral standards. The program was attended by NCP's nominated DSCC mayoral candidate Nasiruddin Patwari, Political Council Member Ali Ahsan Junaid, and several central and metropolitan leaders.