National Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Professor Ali Riaz said consensus or decisions were reached on 19 major issues during the second phase of the commission’s talks with political parties.
“Some of these issues were accepted with notes of dissent from certain parties. All agreed-upon items will be included in the July National Charter,” he told a press briefing following the 23rd and final session of the phase at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, reports BSS.
Commission members Justice Md Emdadul Haque, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, Safar Raj Hossain, Dr Md Ayub Mia and Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Manir Haidar were present at the meeting.
Among the key issues finalised—some with reservations—were the amendment of Article 70 of the Constitution, enhanced women’s representation, decentralisation of the judiciary and the Supreme Court, restrictions on the Prime Minister holding multiple positions, and constitutional provisions for appointing the Public Service Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Ombudsman.
Other settled matters include the formation of an Upper House, the President’s election method, the powers and responsibilities of the President, the caretaker government framework, and the fundamental principles of state policy.
Ali Riaz noted that the issue of increasing women’s representation received the most notes of dissent. Bangladesh JSD, BSD-Marxist, and the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) boycotted Thursday’s meeting citing disagreements, while the Gono Forum representative also dissented but remained in the session.
He added that political parties were urged to hold internal discussions on implementing the agreed issues. The Consensus Commission will facilitate further coordination and reconvene with the parties at an appropriate time.
Thirty political parties, including Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP), Gano Odhikar Parishad, Gana Sanghati Andolon, CPB, Biplobi Workers Party, and Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, participated in Thursday’s talks.
The second phase of the discussions began on 2 June, inaugurated by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. A total of 23 dialogue sessions were held with 30 parties and alliances from 3 June to 31 July.