The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) categorically rejected the proposed 'electoral college system' for electing the President branding it as a 'veiled mechanism' to disenfranchise the people and entrench executive
overreach.
BNP Standing member Committee Salahuddin Ahmed termed the initiative 'completely unacceptable' and warned that "This system is being seen as another ruse to deprive the people of their voting rights." He made these remarks on Wednesday afternoon following a session of the National Consensus Commission, where the contentious electoral reform proposal was discussed.
The draft framework suggests the formation of an electoral college comprising approximately 70,000 voters, with representatives from the union to local government level. According to Salahuddin Ahmed, the proposal recommends that 'an honest, skilled and experienced person' be nominated for the office of the President under this model. But BNP maintains that the move is a regressive step designed to consolidate power rather than democratize the process.
BNP also expressed strong reservations over the reintroduction of the National Constitutional Council (NCC). "BNP does not agree with the proposal to form a National Constitutional Council as before," said Salahuddin. "BNP does not support this council because it is not accountable. We think another imbalance will be created in this council."
The party further argued that any effort to restore constitutional balance must be premised on judicial independence and structural reform. "If there is an independent judiciary, the imbalance will be removed and fascism will be suppressed," he asserted. "If the balance of power between the Prime Minister and the President, other constitutional positions and organizations can be made independent, there will be no problem."
Salahuddin also floated the idea of introducing an ombudsman as a constitutional safeguard to uphold transparency and good governance. "They can be added to the presidential election if the existing system is maintained and a bicameral parliament is formed," he said hinting at the BNP's inclination toward a more decentralized and representative form of governance.
Calling for urgent legal reforms, Salahuddin emphasized the necessity of amending the Election Commission Act and enhancing the effectiveness of watchdog bodies. "Accountability must be ensured. BNP believes that existing laws need to be reformed to strengthen institutions like the ACC and the Human Rights Commission," he added.
