National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Tuesday said his party supports restoring the civic and political rights of ordinary supporters of the Awami League.

“Those who support a fascist party may have committed a moral crime, but if they were not involved in mass killings during the July Uprising, NCP wants their reconciliation,” Nahid said while speaking at the Star Election Dialogue: Your Party, Voters’ Questions programme at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.

He said the BNP and Jamaat are effectively competing with each other to secure Awami League votes, with Awami League members openly joining these parties, but no resolution has yet been reached on the Awami League issue.

“If the Awami League problem is not resolved, it will continue to resurface. In that case, a Truth and Reconciliation Commission should be formed, and the political and civic rights of Awami League supporters should be restored on the condition that they seek forgiveness,” Nahid said.

Calling for the abolition of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Nahid said, “RAB must be abolished. We have been demanding its abolition from the very beginning. Alongside abolishing RAB, institutions like the DGFI must also be brought under accountability.”

On the election, he said many are viewing it solely as a national election, but the referendum must also be kept in mind, stressing that the July Uprising must not be compromised under any circumstances.

Referring to the implementation of the July Charter, Nahid said, “We were forced to make compromises in many parts of the charter. Many things had to be accepted in light of reality. But the commitment to uphold the charter that has been formulated cannot be violated.”