Check Black Money in Polls to Curb Post-Election Corruption: NCP's Nahid Islam

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Md Nahid Islam warned that the fight against post-election corruption will fail unless the circulation of "black money" during elections is effectively checked. He made the comments at the “Fourth Bangladesh Economic Conference 2025: Future Economic Roadmap and Political Commitment,” organized by daily Bonik Barta in Dhaka.

Nahid stated that corruption is driven by an active "nexus of corrupt bureaucrats, politicians, and mafia businessmen," which uses black money, particularly during electoral periods. He stressed that establishing good governance and meaningful state reform requires "functional actions" to dismantle this corrupt nexus, going beyond mere public commitments.

He linked the rise of corruption to "exploitative policies" of past "fascist regimes," which fueled bank looting, money laundering, and the rise of oligarchic mafia classes, ultimately causing social inequality.

Nahid connected the popular "Anti-Discrimination Student Movement" (July Uprising) to deep-seated student frustration over social inequities and political repression, in addition to economic pressures like high commodity prices, low labor wages, and unemployment.

He noted that earlier student movements (like the VAT protest, 2018 Quota Reform, and Safe Road movement) did not achieve political outcomes, but the 2024 movement evolved into a political struggle due to government inaction and lack of trust in authorities.

The central goal of the mass uprising, he reiterated, was to end inequality and break the corruption-mafia nexus.

Future economic reforms must be built on an analysis of the economic structure existing before the July Uprising.

Drawing on China's model, he emphasized the need for reform, stability, and development, with a peaceful election signaling political stability.

Long-term economic reconstruction should prioritize the education reform and skills-based employment, Public health and environmental protection, Agricultural modernization and the digital economy and Development of SMEs and engagement of expatriate youth.

He highlighted the economic promise of the southern region and the Bay of Bengal for attracting foreign investment.

Empowering local governments and decentralization is key to sustainable democracy, protecting sovereignty, and maintaining economic independence.

The conference session also featured other prominent political figures, including Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Chief coordinator of Ganosanghati Andolon Junaid Saki, and SUJAN Secretary Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar.