The National Citizen Party (NCP) has formally unveiled its slate of mayoral candidates for five upcoming city corporation elections in Bangladesh, including the highly competitive contests in Dhaka South and Dhaka North City Corporations.
The announcement was made on Sunday evening, 29 March, at a press conference held at the party’s central office in Banglamotor, Dhaka. The declaration was presented by NCP convener Nahid Islam, who also serves as opposition Chief Whip, marking a key organisational step as the party positions itself ahead of the local government polls.
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Candidates Fielded Across Five City Corporations
The most high-profile nomination went to former interim government adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, who will contest the mayoral race in Dhaka South City Corporation. In Dhaka North City Corporation, the party has nominated Ariful Islam Adeeb, a political activist with involvement in local organisational activities.
Outside the capital, the NCP has extended its electoral reach by fielding candidates in three other major city corporations. Advocate Tarikul Islam will contest in Cumilla, Mobasher Ali has been nominated for Rajshahi, and Advocate Abdur Rahman Afzal will stand in Sylhet.
Party officials said the selection process was conducted through internal consultations, with emphasis placed on candidate credibility, organisational strength, and perceived acceptability among urban voters.
Full List of NCP Mayoral Candidates
| City Corporation | Candidate | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Dhaka South City Corporation | Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan | Former interim government adviser |
| Dhaka North City Corporation | Ariful Islam Adeeb | Political activist |
| Cumilla City Corporation | Advocate Tarikul Islam | Legal practitioner |
| Rajshahi City Corporation | Mobasher Ali | Community organiser and political figure |
| Sylhet City Corporation | Advocate Abdur Rahman Afzal | Legal practitioner |
Criticism of Administrative Appointments
Speaking at the announcement, Nahid Islam criticised the government for appointing administrators to several city corporations, alleging that such moves have weakened administrative neutrality and contributed to the politicisation of municipal governance.
He argued that individuals currently serving in administrative roles within city corporations should be barred from contesting upcoming elections, insisting that their participation would compromise fairness and create an uneven electoral playing field.
The NCP convener also reiterated his party’s demand for reforms in the structure of local government elections, including a controversial proposal to abolish the use of party symbols in municipal polls. According to him, such a change would reduce partisan influence and encourage candidates to compete on individual merit rather than party affiliation.
Demand for Faster Electoral Timetable
Nahid Islam further called on the authorities to complete all pending local government elections within the next six months. He argued that prolonged delays in holding elections undermine democratic accountability and risk concentrating administrative power in unelected structures.
He maintained that timely elections are essential to restoring public confidence in local governance and ensuring that elected representatives, rather than appointed officials, are responsible for managing city affairs and urban services.
Wider Political Significance
The announcement comes amid growing political attention towards Bangladesh’s local government electoral landscape, particularly in major metropolitan centres such as Dhaka, where issues of infrastructure, public services, and urban management remain central to voter concerns.
The selection of prominent figures for Dhaka’s two city corporations is widely interpreted as a signal of intensifying political competition ahead of the upcoming polls. Analysts suggest that the involvement of individuals with advisory, legal, and activist backgrounds reflects a deliberate strategy to blend administrative experience with grassroots engagement.
As the election season approaches, attention is expected to focus on candidate campaigning strategies, the neutrality of local administration, and broader debates surrounding reform of municipal electoral practices and governance structures.