Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) delegation met with National Consensus Commission to present 34 constitutional reform proposals aimed at dismantling country's current political structure.
On Saturday, April 19, led by NCP Convener Nahid Islam alongside seven senior leaders discussions centred on constitutional matters, Election Commission and judiciary reforms essential for establishing democratic governance in Bangladesh.
NCP emphasised that genuine reforms must dismantle power concentration in single individuals, arguing that without proper checks and balances, no meaningful change could occur.
Party representatives maintained that accepting peripheral reforms whilst opposing power structure changes would prove ineffective.
"Fundamental reform refers to transformation needed to abolish current fascist system and establish democratic state structure," said party representatives during day-long meeting.
Regarding implementation methods, NCP proposed Constituent Assembly election for constitutional reforms, whilst suggesting current interim government could implement non-constitutional changes through ordinances.
Proposals included limiting Prime Ministers and Presidents to maximum two terms, establishing four-year governmental tenures, and appointing constitutional positions through National Constitutional Council with Upper House input.
Parliamentary reforms featured prominently, with proposals for bicameral legislature including proportional representation in Upper House, direct election of women MPs in 100 constituencies, and requirement for opposition members to chair Standing Committees.
Judicial reforms focused on preventing politicisation, with proposals to appoint most senior Appellate Division judge as Chief Justice automatically, establish permanent High Court benches across divisions, and create independent Judicial Appointment Commission.
Constitutional principles received attention, with calls to remove partisan principles from 1972 Constitution and substitute with universally acceptable term for "pluralism" in Bengali.
Significant democratic reforms included guaranteed recognition for ethnic and indigenous communities, recognition of uninterrupted internet access as fundamental right, and lowering candidate age minimum to 23 whilst reducing voting age to 16.
Reform proposals addressed separation of powers by specifying Prime Minister and party chief cannot be same person, requiring Cabinet governance rather than Prime Ministerial control, and preventing MPs from engaging in local development activities.
Electoral integrity measures included provisions for independent boundary commission, mechanisms ensuring peaceful power transfers, and requirements for election-time caretaker governments.
Proposals also mandated 25% women's representation in Upper House, 33% independent candidate allocation, empowered Ombudsman, direct local government elections, and mandatory annual publication of property declarations from judges and government officials.
Further discussions on Anti-Corruption Commission and public administration reforms were deferred to future meetings.
NRE/SH
