July Oikya demands cancellation of candidacies of JaPa
DU Correspondent :
July Oikya has announced a two-day protest programme demanding the cancellation of candidacies of the Jatiya Party, the 14-party alliance, and the NDF coalition in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election.
The announcement was made on Monday at a press conference held at Madhur Canteen of the University of Dhaka, where the programme was outlined by Plabon Tarique, one of the organisers of July Oikya.
Plabon Tarique said July Oikya will organise a march to the Election Commission (EC) and submit a memorandum demanding immediate action. He added that on January 14, similar marches and memorandum submissions will be held at divisional Election Commission offices across the country.
Speaking at the press conference, Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Literature and Cultural Secretary Mosaddiq Ali Ibne Mohammad said that after more than two decades, the nation is expecting a free, fair, and credible national election.
He noted that the election schedule has already been announced, nomination submission has been completed, and the scrutiny and withdrawal processes are currently underway.
Raising concerns about electoral irregularities at such a critical stage, he said, is both unfortunate and alarming.
He alleged that political forces involved in or supportive of the July massacre, as well as those that played a role in sustaining fascist rule over the last 15-16 years, have not been brought under accountability despite repeated demands.
Although the activities of the Awami League were banned in May, its registration was only suspended, not cancelled, he added.
He also claimed that the Election Commission has yet to take a clear stance regarding the Jatiya Party and the 14-party alliance, which are widely regarded as allies of the Awami League.
Mosaddiq Ali further said that allowing political forces “with blood on their hands from July and Shapla Chattar” to participate in the election would amount to a betrayal of the martyrs. He demanded that participants of the uncontested elections of 2014 and 2024 be barred from contesting in the upcoming polls.
Also addressing the press conference, DUCSU Social Welfare Secretary AB Zubayer demanded justice for the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Bin Hadi.
He alleged that the Jatiya Party and the 14-party alliance actively cooperated with the Awami League to maintain authoritarian rule over a prolonged period, and therefore strict action against these allied forces should have been taken at the outset.
AB Zubayer further said that a writ petition has recently been filed with the High Court seeking to prevent the Awami League and its allied organisations from regaining political legitimacy through the election. In response, the High Court has issued a rule, raising hopes for justice through legal means, he added.
Others present at the press conference included Israfill Farazi and Munshi Burhan Mahmud.
