Dhaka: The National Consensus Commission is set to initiate the second round of discussions with political parties concerning reforms in the first week of June. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus will inaugurate these talks, following a decision made during a Commission meeting held at the State Guest House Jamuna, chaired by Prof Yunus himself.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, members of the Consensus Commission updated the Chief Adviser on the progress of talks with political parties. Prof Yunus emphasized the importance of engaging civil society and grassroots organizations in the reform and election processes, in addition to political parties, to boost public awareness. He stated, “People need to be made election-centric. Citizens must be made aware that no one can snatch the ballot box. We must bring discipline, and we must organize safe votes with the people.”
The meeting addressed the potential formation of an independent commission to investigate past electoral irregularities. Commission Vice-Chairman Professor Ali Riaz noted that political parties have reached a consensus on this issue. Furthermore, Commission member Ayub Mia advocated for the immediate establishment of the Public Administration Reform Implementation Commission, highlighting the outdated organograms prepared by the Enam Commission in 1982.
Justice Emdadul Haque, head of the Judicial Reform Commission, urged the Chief Adviser to ensure transparency in the commission tasked with appointing Supreme Court judges based on political consensus. Dr Iftekharuzzaman, chief of the Anti-Corruption Reform Commission, called for a roadmap to implement recommendations from reform commissions on media, labor, local government, women, and health issues. Additionally, Badiul Alam Majumder, head of the Electoral System Reform Commission, proposed announcing the draft proposal for the 2008 local government elections as an ordinance.
Safar Raj Hossain, chief of the Police Reform Commission, was also in attendance at the meeting. The initial round of the Consensus Commission discussions with political parties concluded on May 19.