Leaders of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and Jamaat-e-Islami met with Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus to discuss the overall preparations for the upcoming general elections and various steps taken by the government.

In separate meetings at the state guest house Jamuna on Wednesday (October 22), NCP and Jamaat leaders discussed the implementation of the July Charter, the referendum and the roadmap for the trial of the July murders, a message sent by the press wing of the chief advisor said.

The chief advisor assured both parties that the interim government would take all necessary steps to make the upcoming national elections neutral and fair.

He sought the cooperation of all active political parties, including Jamaat and NCP, to make the elections peaceful and festive. He said, “You can be assured of our neutrality. We have already taken various steps to organize a free, impartial and fair election; you will see many more initiatives ahead.”

A four-member delegation of the party, led by NCP convener Nahid Islam, met with the chief advisor at the meeting. The other members of the NCP delegation are the party’s northern region chief organizer Sarjis Alam, senior joint convener Samantha Sharmin and joint convener Khaled Saifullah.

Then, Jamaat Naib-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Taher led the party’s four-member delegation. The other members were Jamaat Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar, Assistant Secretary General A. T. M. Masum and Rafiqul Islam Khan.

Planning Advisor Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud, Legal Advisor Dr. Asif Nazrul, and Industry Advisor Adilur Rahman Khan were present at both meetings on behalf of the government.

Nahid Islam said at the meeting, “Before the elections, we want a roadmap for the trial of the July murders and a guarantee of the implementation of the July Charter. The government must take firm steps in this regard.”

At that time, the chief advisor urged the NCP to sign the July Charter, saying, “This charter is a valuable asset for the nation; everyone’s participation is important here.”

The chief advisor also assured the NCP that the National Consensus Commission is working on the method of implementing the charter. Nahid Islam informed the chief advisor that the NCP has already sent a letter to the commission for discussions with the legal experts associated with the Consensus Commission.

After the meeting with the NCP, Jamaat leaders met with the chief advisor. They demanded a referendum on the July Charter before the national elections.

At the meeting, Dr. Abdullah Muhammad Taher said, “A referendum needs to be held before the national elections. Because there are many issues in the July Charter that are related to the national elections.”

He also said, “If the referendum is held on the same day as the national election, there is a risk that the voting process will be prolonged.”

The party leaders also said that Jamaat has full confidence in any decision taken by the chief advisor in the interest of ensuring the impartiality of the election administration.

The chief advisor to NCP and Jamaat leaders said that he himself will directly supervise any reshuffle in the administration before the elections. He assured that necessary steps will be taken in coordination with the Election Commission.