A group of protesters under the banner of July Oikya on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission, demanding the cancellation of nomination papers filed by the candidates of the Jatiya Party and the National Democratic Front in the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12.
The group also called for the rejection of nomination papers submitted by the candidates of 14 political parties aligned with the Awami League, who are contesting the 13th parliamentary elections alongside the JP and the NDF.
The National Democratic Front, a newly formed political alliance, is led by a faction of the Jatiya Party led by Anisul Islam Mahmud and another faction of the Jatiya Party is led by Anwar Hossain Manju.
Anisul Islam Mahmud serves as the president of the alliance, while Anwar Hossain Manju is its chief adviser.
In the memorandum, July Oikya alleged that the Jatiya Party led by GM Quader had fielded candidates for 244 constituencies and accused the party of supporting the Awami League in the establishment of authoritarian rule.
The group claimed that both the Jatiya Party and the 14-party alliance had backed enforced disappearances, killings and other serious abuses over the past 16 years.
Earlier in the day, the protesters began gathering beneath the Agargaon Metro Rail Station at about 12:30pm before marching towards the Election Commission.
The police erected barricades outside the Election Commission and deployed additional personnel.
The procession was halted near the Islamic Foundation, as demonstrators chanted slogans against the participation of the Jatiya Party in the election.
