Dhaka: National Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Professor Ali Riaz has announced the withdrawal of the commission’s proposal for the formation of a National Constitutional Council (NCC), prioritizing the views of political parties.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Commissioner had initially proposed the constitutional council to manage appointments in constitutional and statutory bodies. During a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital, following the sixth-day meeting of the second round of talks with political parties, Prof Ali Riaz reported that due to a lack of broad agreement among major political parties, a new proposal for a ‘Constitutional and Statutory Institutions Appointment Committee’ has been suggested in place of the NCC.
The latest round of discussions between political parties and the Consensus Commission concluded today. Changes have been made to the structure of the newly proposed committee, which will focus solely on appointments to constitutional and statutory institutions, excluding the Attorney General and the chiefs of the three services.
Commission members Justice Md. Emdadul Haque, Dr. Badiul Alam Majumder, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Dr. Md. Ayub Mia, and Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haider were present at the meeting. Prof Riaz mentioned that as most parties expressed positive opinions on the proposal, further detailed discussions will be held to finalize procedural details and frameworks of the constitutional committee.
He highlighted that today’s discussions covered the basic principles of state governance and the tenure of the prime minister. However, as consensus has not been reached on the appointment process for constitutional and statutory bodies, a decision on the prime minister’s term remains pending.
While some parties supported maintaining existing governance principles, others expressed opposing views, indicating a lack of unanimity. Nevertheless, there was broad support for five fundamental principles: equality and human dignity, social justice, democracy, religious freedom and harmony, and impartiality.
Prof. Ali Riaz expressed optimism that ongoing engagement with political representatives, along with internal deliberations, would lead to the formulation of a National Charter, incorporating necessary revisions and additions. He noted that despite differences in formal discussions, party leaders are engaged in both formal and informal exchanges outside the Commission meetings, which is a positive sign.
Representatives of 30 political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCC), Gono Odhikar Parishad, Gonosanghati Andolon, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Biplobi Workers Party, and Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party were present in today’s meeting. The Consensus Commission is scheduled to meet with political parties again next Sunday, aiming to swiftly reach consensus and finalize the July Charter.