BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said that the July mass uprising marked the culmination of the party's 17-year political struggle. He also stated that the question of who will be allowed to contest the upcoming local government elections is a matter for the Election Commission (EC) and the courts to decide in accordance with the law.
Rizvi made the remarks on Sunday (July 19) while speaking to reporters after submitting the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (BNP) audited financial statement for 2025 to the Election Commission at its headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka.
BNP Treasurer M. Rashiduzzaman Millat and Assistant Office Secretary Monir Hossain were present during the submission. The party's delegation handed over the financial report to EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed.
Responding to a question regarding Jamaat-e-Islami's letter to the Election Commission seeking to prevent leaders and activists of the ousted Awami League from contesting the local government elections, Rizvi said BNP does not consider the positions of other political parties in making its own decisions.
"The responsibility for determining who is eligible to contest the elections rests entirely with the Election Commission, based on the existing laws and any newly enacted legal provisions," he said.
Asked about BNP's candidate selection process, Rizvi noted that the upcoming local government elections will be held without party symbols. He said the party's highest policymaking body will decide how candidates will be selected, adding that no final decision has yet been made.
Replying to another question on whether BNP's nomination or support would be open to all prospective candidates, Rizvi said the party has not yet taken any policy decision on the matter. He added that an official announcement would be made once a decision is finalized.
Regarding BNP's next national council, Rizvi said the party's Acting Chairman and Secretary General have already discussed holding the council. However, he said no final decision has been taken on the timing, and the party will announce the date officially once it is fixed.