The National Consensus Commission will sit again with political parties following discussion with the experts to determine the methods for implementing the reform recommendations to be incorporated in the July National Charter, said the commission’s Vice President Prof Ali Riaz said on Friday.
“We need to ensure that the agreed-upon Charter becomes binding, and determine how its implementation will be carried out—through discussions with political parties,” said Riaz at a press conference held at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
He said the commission will also hold talks with experts next week to finalise the process. And then the commission will hold the next round of discussions with political parties in the light of discussions with experts, he said.
“It is hoped that we can arrive at an appropriate decision within a short time through this process,” he added.
Prof Riaz noted that significant consensus was achieved with political parties during the two earlier phases of talks aimed at formulating a much-anticipated National Charter.
“In the first phase of dialogue (March 20-May 19), out of 166 proposals, consensus was reached on 62 reform proposals,” he said.
During the second phase (June 02-July 31), 20 key constitutional issues were discussed. Among them, consensus was reached on 11 issues with the support of all participating parties. Decisions on the remaining nine issues were taken based on the views of the majority, while dissenting opinions from certain parties were recorded, he said.
The 11 issues decided without any note of dissent are (1) Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee; (2) Delimitation of constituencies; (3) Provisions relating to presidential clemency; (4) Decentralisation of the judiciary ---(a) Decentralization of the Supreme Court and (b) Expansion of subordinate courts to the upazila level; (5) Declaration of a state of emergency; (6) Appointment of the Chief Justice; (7) Amendment of the Constitution; (8) Term of office of the Prime Minister; (9) Formation of the Election Commission; (10) Formation of the Police Commission; and (11) Proposals relating to expansion of fundamental rights of citizens.
The remaining nine issues decided with notes of dissent are (1) Amendment of Article 70 of the Constitution; (2) Provision for the Prime Minister to hold multiple posts; (3) Provisions relating to the appointment of the Public Service Commission, the Comptroller and Auditor General, the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Ombudsman; (4) Women's representation in Parliament (increase in number, election system and others); (5) Bicameral Parliament (composition of the Upper House, method of election of members, jurisdiction and others); (6) The presidential election system; (7) Caretaker Government; (8) Fundamental Principles of the State; and (9) Authorities and Responsibilities of the President.
Though almost all parties agreed to increase women’s reserved seats to 100, there was no consensus on the process of implementation. So, a decision was made to maintain the existing indirect election system (to 50 seats) while gradually increasing direct electoral participation of women—a move that, according to Riaz, sadly received the most dissenting notes from parties.
A preliminary draft of the July Charter, which outlines the historical background and some commitments, was sent to political parties and alliances on July 28 last. This draft is intended as a template, not a final document, and feedback has been sought from the parties. Many have already submitted opinions, and a revised full draft incorporating their inputs will be sent out in a few days, he said.
Formed on February 15, 2025, under Chief Adviser Prof Yunus, the NCC was mandated to forge national consensus on critical state reforms.
Of the six reform commissions initially formed, five (excluding the Constitutional Reform Commission) identified a total of 165 immediate actionable recommendations (through executive orders, regulations, or ordinances), which they submitted to the government. The recommendations include: 14 from the Election System Reform Commission, 50 from the Judicial Reform Commission, 51 from the ACC Reform Commission, 32 from the Public Administration Reform Commission, 18 from the Police Reform Commission.
But these recommendations were not among the 166 proposals sent to political parties. According to the government, 18 of these have already been fully implemented, 12 partially, and 92 are under implementation, said Prof Riaz.
During the first phase dialogue, 25 of the 166 proposals witnessed too massive differences in opinions from the political parties and alliances for further progress. So, the issues were dropped from the second phase talks, he said.
The 25 dropped issues including Reducing terms of President, Prime Minister and Parliament to four years, Dividing Bangladesh into four provinces, lowering the minimum age to contest parliamentary elections to 21 and establishing a permanent Local Government Commission.
In response to a question, Prof Riaz said structural reforms alone cannot prevent concentration of power. “We said this before as well that there is now a great opportunity to change Bangladesh’s political culture. We hope that political parties must consider it,” he said.
He said institutional, constitutional, and electoral reforms alone are not enough to prevent the resurgence of fascism in Bangladesh. A transformation of the political culture is also essential. Political parties must play a pivotal role in addressing at least the issues that cause the reemergence of fascism system, he added.
When asked about the Commission’s achievements, he said political parties reached a consensus on at least 62 proposals during the first phase dialogue and later on 10 of the 19 constitutional issues without any dissent b y July 31 last. "If you consider it, it is a remarkable achievement in the context of Bangladesh’s political history," he added.
On whether the Commission’s tenure would be extended, Prof Riaz said the government will decide it. "We’ve regularly kept the Commission's chief, also Chief Adviser of the interim government, informed of our progress. If he feels extension is necessary, he’ll make that decision,” he said.
