NCP's New Declaration: Digital Rights, Development, and Defense
The National Citizens’ Party (NCP) has declared internet access as a fundamental right while unveiling a 24-point manifesto under the banner of a “New Bangladesh.” The announcement was made on Sunday, August 3, during a rally organized by the party at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka. NCP Convener Nahid Islam publicly read out the manifesto.
While the manifesto includes a distinct section titled Research, Innovation, and the IT Revolution, it also emphasizes the integration of technology across multiple sectors including governance, education, law, agriculture, healthcare, and defense.
A significant feature of the manifesto is its strong focus on digital governance. It aims to minimize paperwork, physical appearances, and delays in public services through digitization. The party pledges to digitize judicial documents and implement an online case tracking system to reform the legal process and ensure transparent, timely justice.
To build a more citizen-friendly law enforcement system, the manifesto calls for equipping every responsible police officer with a body camera. It also promises to protect citizens from misinformation, disinformation, and sensational content in the media.
In healthcare, NCP proposes the introduction of a nationwide Electronic Health Record (EHR) system to ensure universal access to medical services. To address youth unemployment, the party plans to create opportunities for three million jobs by fostering an innovation-friendly environment for entrepreneurs. This includes developing district-level freelancing and remote work hubs with provisions for payment platforms, co-working spaces, and high-speed internet.
The manifesto outlines a strategy for exporting skilled human resources in sectors such as IT, healthcare, nursing, management, logistics, hospitality, and engineering. In terms of industrial development, NCP promises policy support for high value-added sectors such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and ICT, along with promoting light engineering and agro-processing under a multi-faceted trade and industry policy.
In agriculture, the party proposes subsidies for climate-resilient seeds, eco-friendly fertilizers, and modern machinery to ensure sustainable food sovereignty. It also emphasizes building a mobile-based advisory platform to provide farmers with up-to-date information on weather, market prices, and government support. For the sustainable use of maritime and Exclusive Economic Zone resources, it promises investment in modern research and technologies focused on fisheries and mineral extraction.
On national defense, NCP aims to establish a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) brigade within the military. This would include acquiring advanced drone technologies and investing in domestic military R&D and production capabilities.
The manifesto section titled Research, Innovation, and the IT Revolution states, “We will undertake special initiatives to facilitate technology transfer from the developed world and create a skilled, technology-savvy workforce within the country. In collaboration with the government, universities, and private sectors, we will launch long-term science research projects spanning 50 years.”
These projects will include establishing advanced laboratories for aeronautics, space research, signal intelligence, radar technology, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum technology, nanotechnology, nuclear science, and biotechnology. The party further pledges international collaboration with top global labs and the recruitment of local and foreign experts at competitive salaries.
A national computing server and university-based computing clusters will be created to emphasize computational research. An evaluation commission will be formed to assess the output of universities and government research institutions. NCP also vows to eliminate all forms of unnecessary bureaucratic interference in research activities.
To ensure information and cyber security, a national commission will be established.
