NCP central joint chief coordinator and Noakhali-6 lawmaker Abdul Hannan Masud called for abolishing Article 70 and establishing upper and lower houses to enable a directly elected, neutral president. He made the remarks as chief guest at a prize-giving ceremony for the July Memorial Football Tournament at Lakshmipur Stadium on Friday evening, August 21, 2026.

Masud said Bangladesh had moved beyond the “Shahabuddin” of the fascist era but had not escaped its governing system. He argued that Article 70 had trapped the country in that system and said people had been compelled to congratulate a partisan, one-party president, which he described as contrary to the aspirations of July.

He said electing a new president through a direct secret ballot, after forming upper and lower chambers, reflected both the July mass uprising’s aspirations and those of all parties. Masud also said the struggle was against Indian dominance, alleging Sheikh Hasina represented India. The NCP district unit organized the tournament, attended by party figures, local journalists and others.