Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Sunday proposed a 'constitution order' through which reforms proposed in the July National Charter could be implemented, followed by a referendum to further strengthen its legitimacy.
"If a constitution order (executive order) is issued, there will be no scope for legal challenge anywhere and this will create a strong legal position. We've told the government that if a referendum can be held on the order afterwards, the legitimacy will be even stronger," AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, assistant secretary general of Jamaat, told reporters after a meeting of the National Consensus Commission.
"If there is a referendum, the matter will rest with the people. If they accept it, we have no reason to object," he added.
Azad said people were dreaming of a Bangladesh built on good governance, justice, democracy, accountability and welfare-oriented policies. In this regard, there is no alternative to placing the July Charter on a legal foundation, he said.
"We've submitted our proposal in writing and explained it verbally today. It has to be a strong legal base so that it is not overturned or repealed in future. The way to achieve this is through a constitution order," he said.
The Jamaat leader said a fair and historic election will only be possible if it is held putting the July Charter on a legal framework.
"We said that the election must be held in February, but the polls must be conducted on the basis of this charter."
Azad said the July Charter reflects consensus on 84 issues, despite some notes of dissent. "There are no more barriers to implementing the July Charter. The only question now is how to implement it. That is what we discussed today."
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