National Consensus Commission (NCC) members expect to finalise the July National Charter 2025 by this week, but the implementation process has not been decided yet.
NCC Vice-Chairman Ali Riaz said the implementation process would not be included in the final July Charter.
The NCC informally consulted 17 political parties regarding the implementation process on Monday. The parties included the Communist Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal, Bangladesh Jasad, Khelafat Majlis, Gonoforum, Nationalist Democratic Movement, and Bangladesh Jatiya Dal
The NCC also met 8 other parties the day before. Earlier, they conducted informal discussions with the BNP, National Citizen Party and Jamaat-e-Islami.
However, although the draft July National Charter was sent to political parties for feedback on August 16, many parties had not submitted their written remarks until Monday.
"Firstly, we have been working, waiting for feedback from political parties. Some who were supposed to submit written feedback yesterday afternoon haven't done it yet. We have asked them to do so by today [Tuesday]. We reminded them again in the morning. After getting their feedback, we can hopefully formulate our suggestions regarding the implementation process", Riaz told Stream.
NCC member Badiul Alam Majumder said much the same, telling Stream, "We are still discussing, but nothing is final yet."
He also offered some insight into why the process was taking so long.
"Different parties have different opinions. We are still getting feedback, so we haven't decided how to proceed".
However, he stressed that the implementation process remains a top priority for the NCC.
Asked whether NCC members will sit together before the weekend, Majumder replied, "We are sitting almost every day. A decision has to be reached. We have to solve it.
"We sat with legal experts several times. After getting feedback from all the political parties, we will sit with legal experts again. After cross-checking the suggestions of the legal experts and political parties, our suggestions will be formulated."
How the July Charter can be given legal standing and implemented has remained a point of discord since consensus dialogues ended in July.
The National Citizen Party (NCP) has repeatedly demanded constitutional precedence of the July Charter and called for its implementation through the formation of a constituent assembly. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami said that a presidential proclamation or referendum may be required.
The BNP has opposed the idea of constitutional precedence and the constituent assembly, instead suggesting implementation through the national assembly that will be formed through the 13th Parliamentary Election, slated for February.
The BNP also opined that arranging a referendum on so many points is unfeasible.
Riaz clarified that all options were on the table at the moment. "Suggestions of a referendum, presidential proclamation, and other measures by the political parties are all under consideration".
Asked whether differing views would be an obstacle to implementing the July Charter, both Riaz and Majumder replied negatively.
"Till now, the political parties have supported us enough. They gave their opinions. We are trying within our due process. We shouldn't stop being hopeful, we are optimistic," Riaz reaffirmed.
The NCC was established on 12 February this year. From 20 March to 31 July, it conducted dialogues with 38 political parties and alliances in two rounds on 166 selected recommendations provided by six reform commissions.
Among the 166 recommendations, broader consensus was reached over 84 points at the end of July, with notes of dissent on several points being submitted by different parties. This formed the basis of the July National Charter 2025.
The final draft of the charter was sent to the political parties for their feedback on 16th August. After receiving and assessing written feedback and checking with the legal experts, the NCC will finalise the July Charter by this week.
After this, it will be sent to the political parties only for their endorsement.
At this stage, further opinions or feedback will not be sought from the political parties.
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