Although the National Consensus Commission (NCC) said it had handed over the final draft of the July National Charter to political parties that took part in the monthslong dialogue on August 16, more sit-downs with stakeholders will be required.
The 27-page document, now awaiting final review, includes the background of the charter, 84 reform proposals that were agreed upon, and 8 commitments for implementation.
NCC Member Badiul Alam Majumder spoke to Stream about issues that remain unresolved, such as adopting the proportional representation (PR), and various other topics in an interview. The excerpts are below:
Stream: Are the disagreements mostly on the BNP's side or have other parties like the National Citizen Party (NCP) also voiced disapproval?
Badiul Alam: Most disagreements came from the BNP's side. As far as I can recall, the NCP hasn't submitted a note of dissent.
Stream: By when do you think the NCC will be able to conclude talks after getting a clear picture?
Badiul Alam: It will take some time. The issue now is to see ways to implement it and make it legally binding. That's where things stand.
We're discussing it with legal experts and specialists to see how it can be effectively implemented and how to give it a strong legal or constitutional foundation. That hasn't been finalised yet.
Today we sent it [the draft] and surely there will be some feedback. Changes will be made based on that. In the meantime, we hope to get the experts' opinions. Then, we'll decide how to move forward. Most likely, we'll sit with the political parties.
Stream: You'll sit with political parties again?
Badiul Alam: Yes, how it [July Charter] will be implemented will be determined through these meetings. We haven't imposed anything. What we've tried is to come as close as possible through dialogue. Out of these 84 issues, consensus has not been reached on just around 10, although many of them are fundamental.
Stream: Could you tell us about some of the issues where a consensus has not been reached?
Badiul Alam: As far as I recall, the issue of proportional representation (PR) in the upper house of the parliament is among them. The BNP has voiced reservations about that.
There are other issues, for example, those regarding the appointment process for the Public Service Commission, the Controller and Auditor General, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Ombudsman. There is discussion about enshrining the appointment process for these positions in the constitution.
Currently, this is done based on laws, but we want to include it in the constitution. The BNP objects to this.
Then there's the issue of the caretaker government, specifically how it will be appointed. I have no doubt the caretaker government will return; I went to court and got a ruling myself. However, the BNP disagrees there as well.
Then there's the issue of Article 70, although everyone mostly agrees on it now.
I think the BNP disagrees in one or two of those areas as well. They want to include something; I don't recall what exactly.
Stream: Is it regarding floor crossing?
Badiul Alam: There is no disagreement on floor crossing.
Stream: Regarding PR, is BNP's stance conditional? Are they saying they agree, but with conditions?
Badiul Alam: They agree on two points, but I don't remember the other one they wanted to add. I don't have all the details at the moment. However, BNP does have objections to keeping PR in the upper house of parliament. And some other small issues.
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