The National Citizen Party (NCP) has instructed its district units to form convening committees in every upazila across the country by September 28. The directive, signed on Friday by NCP northern region chief organiser Sarjis Alam, aims to increase organisational momentum and prepare for local elections. Where full committees cannot be established immediately, district units have been told to announce interim committees.

An interim upazila convening committee may have 11 to 15 members and must form a full 51-member committee within 15 days. Existing and newly formed upazila committees have also been directed to begin forming union-level convening committees. The party said upazila conveners must be over 40, while member secretaries should preferably be over 35 and cannot be below 30.

The guidance allows priority for people who have run, or are considered potential candidates, for upazila chairman posts. At least one of the convener and member secretary must live in or near a town. Committees must ensure at least 5% women’s representation and proportional representation of religious and ethnic groups. District conveners and member secretaries must submit written progress reports by September 29.