Mahdi Amin spoke at a press conference in the capital's Gulshan on Tuesday. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - BNP Chairman's Adviser and spokesperson for the party's Election Steering Committee Mahdi Amin today expressed concern over the decision to deploy BNCC cadets in the upcoming National Parliamentary Election and the Referendum. 

He said, "Many of the college and university-going BNCC cadets are affiliated with one political ideology or another. Therefore, involving them in electoral work could damage the environment for a free, fair, and impartial election."

In this context, he informed that the BNP has already sent a letter to the Election Commission specifically requesting not to deploy BNCC cadets. 

Mahdi Amin made the remarks at a press conference held today at the BNP Election Steering Office in Gulshan of the city.

Regarding the appointment of election observers, Mahdi Amin said that according to the EC website, over 55,000 observers from 81 local organizations have been approved. However, among them, more than 34,000 observers are from just 16 organizations, which is concerning.

He claimed, "Members of a particular political party are at the leadership level of several organizations, and there are fears that a section of them could be used for dishonest purposes on election day."

In this situation, Mahdi Amin called upon the Election Commission to take several steps to ensure a level playing field. "These include scrutinizing the full list of observers and removing politically affiliated individuals, reducing the number of observers from less experienced organizations, and prohibiting more than two local observers from entering a polling centre simultaneously," he added. 

Mahdi Amin said that the BNP was the first to present proposals before the nation for introducing a bicameral parliamentary system, limiting the Prime Minister's tenure, and reforming the quota system. As part of this continuity, the BNP has taken a position in favour of voting 'Yes' in the public referendum for state reform in the upcoming national election.

He alleged that those who never spoke of reform in the past are now making tall claims about reform and spreading confusion and propaganda. 

Regarding the history of the Liberation War, Mahdi Amin said the history of the Liberation War is a settled matter. "It is an undeniable truth that Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman was the proclaimer of Bangladesh's independence."

He also commented that any attempt to distort history will be rejected by the people of the country.

Regarding the manifesto, Mahdi Amin informed that the work on BNP's election manifesto is almost complete and the manifesto may be announced next Friday.

Regarding the complication over the 'Sheaf of Paddy' symbol on the ballot paper, he said that because of this, the BNP has suffered some injustice in terms of a level playing field.

Mahdi Amin said that the BNP believes in empowering the people and continues to work at the grassroots level in the continuity of positive politics. He also mentioned that the BNP's 31-point programme is a fundamental basis for state reform in the future Bangladesh.

He said, "A free, fair, and acceptable election is the main demand of the BNP. We expressed hope that if all parties concerned, including the Election Commission, play a responsible role, people's voting rights will be ensured and the next government will be formed through that."