The National Citizen Party (NCP) has announced it will contest the upcoming local government elections on its own.

Spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain made the announcement at an emergency press conference at the party’s Banglamotor office in Dhaka on Tuesday evening.

“If there’s a need for an alliance, we will sit with party members and take a decision keeping the broader interests of the party and the people in mind,” he said.

At the briefing, Asif Mahmud also criticised the appointment of administrators to six city corporations, questioning the transparency of the move.

“The rapid appointment of administrators raises concerns. It is undemocratic and could undermine a level playing field in the upcoming elections,” he said.

He demanded the immediate announcement of a complete timeline for the polls.

He also alleged harassment of ordinary people and journalists in the name of recent campaigns. While he said he does not support unreasonable blockades, he stressed that the constitutional rights of those staging movements with reasonable demands must be ensured.

“We think the government is trying to create a reign of fear,” he added.

Asif Mahmud said that under existing laws, local government elections should be held without party symbols.

He also announced the party’s first founding anniversary programme on February 28, saying, “The doors of the NCP are open to all who believe in reforms and agree with the party’s policies.”

Earlier, NCP Chief Organiser (North) and chairman of the local government election committee Sarjis Alam said the party has formed a six-member committee to oversee preparations nationwide.

He said the party plans to announce preliminary candidates in all 12 city corporations, 495 upazilas and around 330 municipalities through interviews and organisational consultations.

Sarjis urged party leaders and activists to contest the polls and called on qualified individuals from different professions to join the party.

On Monday night, the NCP formed a six-member local government election committee, led by Sarjis Alam as chairman and Abdul Hannan Masud as secretary. The other members are Senior Joint Convener Ariful Islam Adeeb, Joint Member Secretaries Alauddin Mohammad and Tahsin Riaz, and Monjila Jhuma.