NCP navigates first electoral test 

National Citizen Party (NCP) navigates its first major electoral test amid intense political bargaining ahead of the 13th National polls. They sold 1,484 nomination forms, less than half of its target of selling three thousand nomination forms.

The party launched the sale of nomination forms on November 6, later extending the deadline to November 20, just two days after receiving its formal registration on November 18.

Since the sales began, the NCP central office has transformed into a political hub drawing potential candidates from politics, journalism, law, entrepreneurship, education and development sectors. 

Among the heavyweights, convener Nahid Islam is going to contest from Dhaka 11 constituency, while member secretary Akhtar Hossain from Rangpur 4, chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari is preparing from Dhaka 18. Chief organizer for the Northern Region Sarjis Alam is active on the ground in Panchagarh 1 and Chief organizer for the Southern Region Hasnat Abdullah in Cumilla 4. Besides, joint convener Saif Khan brought nomination from Faridpur 3, Dr Tasnim Zara from Dhaka 9, Golam Mortuza from Thakurgaon 3, Masum Billah from Rangpur 6, Ariful Islam Adeeb from Dhaka 14, Samantha Sharmin from Bhola 1 and Sarwar Tushar from Narsingdi 2.

Faces generating both discussion and criticism include several figures who rose to prominence during the July Movement including Khokon Chandra Barman, who suffered severe facial injuries during the protests, will contest from Sherpur 2. Sujon, a rickshaw puller who became symbolic after saluting protesters during the July Uprising, has submitted his nomination for Dhaka 8 where he may face BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas. Former Dhaka University law chairman Professor Dr Maimul Ahsan Khan, long associated with BNP stalwart Salahuddin Ahmed, has collected forms for Cox's Bazar 1. Awami League leader Khurshed Alam Bachchu, an expelled BNP leader now serving as vice president of the Krishak League in Chapainawabganj, has also filed for Chapainawabganj 2 on NCP ticket.

A significant part of the NCP strategy involves courting BNP and Jamaat leaders denied nomination by their parties. According to NCP officials, "many influential former MPs and district level BNP and Jamaat leaders who have contested multiple times but were dropped from this year's nomination list may appear on the NCP's final slate." The election management coordination committee claims that the party "will make a surprise appearance in the final list." 

Alliance politics remains the party's most contentious internal debate. While student advisers lean toward forming an electoral pact with the BNP, the top leadership insists on "assurances of at least twenty seats, full organizational support and control over rebel candidates." But most senior leaders oppose an alliance with the BNP due to "low seat allocation and weak organizational commitments," and if BNP conditions falter, the NCP is inclined to pursue "a larger electoral arrangement against the BNP with eight parties led by Jamaat." However, convener Nahid Islam insists that "the NCP is prepared to field candidates in all three hundred seats independently."

The party has already initiated a rigorous interview strategy scheduled for November 23 and 24 under the slogan "The country will change under new leadership." Candidates will be assessed on grading methods based 10 divisional categories on criteria including educational qualification, political experience, legitimate income, financial transparency, organizational capacity and people's connection.

Parallel to candidate selection, the NCP has rolled out a digital centric campaign targeting first time voters and educated youth through social media teams, grassroots volunteers and local coordination bodies. Leaders traveling across districts claim that the party is reshaping campaign culture and "strengthening organizational activities with innovation and accountability."