Stating that political parties have embedded their own ideologies as fundamental principles in the Constitution of Bangladesh, the National Citizen Party has questioned whether there should be any fundamental principles in the charter at all.
“In 1972, the Awami League included its own ideologies as fundamental principles in the Constitution. Later, several parties added their own ideologies through amendments,” NCP Convener Nahid Islam told reporters after he and several other leaders of the party met the members of National Consensus Commission at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star’s Google News channel. “We questioned whether we need fundamental principles in the constitution, and whether we can think of another framework. Our constitution already declares Bangladesh a people’s republic and a democratic state, and it also mentions the fundamental rights. Is there any need for additional fundamental principles?”
NCP Joint Convener Sarwar Tusher said lawmakers should be allowed to vote against party lines through amending Article 70 of the constitution.
The right to cross the floor is one of the conditions of an effective parliament, he said, adding that the only exceptions should be finance bills and no-confidence votes, because those can destabilise a government.
“Our view is to strike a balance between the freedom of MPs and parliamentary stability. This is why we want this reform.”
The NCP also proposed that an individual may serve as prime minister no more than twice, and anyone who becomes prime minister would be considered ineligible to ever hold the office of president.
“We propose a cabinet-led government, not one led by the prime minister,” Nahid said.
Any amendment to the constitution should be done through referendum even if two-thirds of the members of the upper and lower houses support the amendment, he said.
The party also recommends making uninterrupted internet access a fundamental right.
Prof Ali Riaz, vice-president of the National Consensus Commission, delivered the opening speech at the day-long meeting between the NCP and the commission.
According to consensus commission sources, the participants discussed constitutional, judicial, and electoral reforms.
As all the topics were not covered due to time constraints, the adjourned meeting is likely to resume next Tuesday or later.
From the National Consensus Commission, Safar Raj Hossain, Badiul Alam Majumdar, and Iftekharuzzaman attended the meeting while Justice Emdadul Haque joined in the afternoon.
Besides Nahid and Tushar, the NCP delegation included Member Secretary Akhter Hossen, Senior Joint Convener Samanta Shermeen, Joint Convener Javed Russell, Chief Organiser Hasnat Abdullah, Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari, and Senior Joint Member Secretary Nahida Sarwar Niva.
In his introductory speech, Nahid called for a radical overhaul of the state structure, aiming to fulfil the aspirations of the July uprising and prevent the re-emergence of autocratic tendencies in future governments.
Regarding the Constitutional Reform Commission’s recommendation of electing the president through an electoral college consisting of members of both houses and district council members, Nahid said the NCP proposed that all local government representatives be included in the voting process in addition to members of both houses.
The NCP calls for measures to ensure smooth transition of power as it believes that power transitions often lead to political turmoil, NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen said.
However, more discussions are needed on who will be at the helm during such transitions, he said, adding, “We are discussing how the chief adviser and other advisers will be chosen.”
Nahid said, “We propose that boundaries of the constituencies be redrawn. We do not want to go back to any previous boundaries. A new demarcation must be done through an independent Election Commission.”
He added that the NCP was in favour of holding direct elections in 100 women’s seats in parliament.
The NCP recommended making the judiciary financially independent, establishing divisional benches, and appointing judges and the chief justice based on seniority through a Supreme Judicial Council.
“We also discussed whether the opinion of the upper house could be considered in such appointments.”
The NCP expressed concerns that the spreadsheet given by the National Consensus Commission did not include recommendations made by the Police Reform Commission.
Regarding the discord between political parties over reforms, Nahid said there was no alternative to dialogues.
“We want to keep the door for dialogues open. We will sit with political parties and engage in discussions among ourselves.”