The National Consensus Commission on Tuesday could not reach a decision over the election-time caretaker government issue, but Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami offered almost similar proposals about it, particularly the selection process of its chief adviser.
However, the NCC announced its final decision that the Prime Minister cannot simultaneously hold the post of a political party chief, allowing dissenting parties to register a ‘note of dissent’ in the National Charter.
NCC Vice Chair Prof Ali Riaz informed the decision on the 17th day of the second-round dialogue between the Commission and political parties at the Foreign Service Academy on Tuesday.
Search Committee for Caretaker Government Chief:
BNP, in its revised proposal submitted Monday night, suggested forming a four-member search committee composed of the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Speaker, and the Deputy Speaker (from the opposition). The committee would select the Chief Adviser based on consensus from ten names –--five each nominated by both the ruling and opposition parties. If consensus is not reached, the party proposed following the relevant process outlined in the 13th amendment of the Constitution, excluding the provision where the President would head the caretaker government as the last option.
Jamaat proposed a five-member search committee including a representative from the third largest party in Parliament in addition to the four members proposed by BNP. They suggested the ruling and main opposition parties nominate three candidates each, the third largest party two names, and other parties or independents one name each. In case of failure to reach consensus, Jamaat also proposed the process outlined in the 13th Amendment dropping the option for the President to take the charge.
However, several other parties objected to reviving the appointment process outlined in the 13th Amendment, citing previous controversies. Many instead advocated for a ranked-choice voting system within the search committee to appoint the caretaker chief.
The political parties earlier reached a consensus over the restoration of the caretaker government to oversee the national election and its other matters including its tenure, but disagreed over the selection process of the chief adviser.
NCC’s Proposal
The NCC proposed a five-member search committee similar to Jamaat’s structure. Every political party and independent MP would be asked to nominate one eligible name. If consensus fails, each of the ruling and main opposition parties would propose three names, and the third-largest party would nominate two.
Under this formula, the ruling party would pick one name from the opposition's list and one from the third-largest party’s nominations. The opposition would do the same. The third-largest party would pick one from each of the ruling and opposition party lists. If consensus is reached on any of the selected names, that person will be appointed Chief Adviser. Otherwise, a ranked-choice voting system will be used.
Prof Riaz said while briefing reporters most parties earlier agreed on restoring the caretaker government system and electing its head through the elected public representatives and keeping the President out of the process.
Consensus Commission begins talks with political parties
He said the Commission placed a specific draft proposal, but BNP submitted a revised one altering the search committee’s composition and selection method.
Many parties are unwilling to involve the judiciary — especially retired chief justices — and instead favour ranked-choice voting. There is also strong opposition to reviving the appointment process mentioned in the 13th amendment, he added.
“In fact, we’re somewhat stuck on how the search committee will make decisions and resolve deadlocks (to select the chief adviser). We’ve requested parties to reconsider their stances and hope they will submit their revised opinions by tomorrow. We expect to reach a conclusive decision the day after,” said Prof Ali Riaz.
BNP’s Position
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed told reporters that the party had submitted its revised proposal on Monday night.
“We proposed that if the search committee fails to reach consensus, the final option should be the procedure mentioned in the 13th amendment, excluding the provision allowing the President to head the caretaker government,” he said.
The BNP leader showed flexibility over the formation of the search committee, saying that the search committee could be comprised of five persons by including a representative from the third-largest party in Parliament.
Salahuddin also clarified BNP’s stance on the multiple roles held by the Prime Minister. There is broad consensus that the same person may be both Prime Minister and Leader of the House, but some parties disagree on allowing that person to also serve as party chief, he said.
Noting that his party may register a note of dissent also here, he said disallowing the prime minister to serve as the chief of a party goes against the democratic rights and practices.
Jamaat’s View
Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher said the selection of the chief adviser of the caretaker government should be made based on consensus not the simple majority.
"We don't want a process where distrust is created between political parties. Rather, we need to reach an acceptable solution through discussion," he said.
Taher said the Prime Minister and Leader of the House may be the same person, but not the party chief.
Consensus Commission resumes talks with political parties
NCP stance
NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain said they proposed a ranked-choice voting system in the appointment process to ensure a neutral and acceptable caretaker government.
Meanwhile, discussions also touched on forming appointment committees for four constitutional and one statutory body—Election Commission (EC), Public Service Commission (PSC), Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), and the Office of the Ombudsman. Talks on this issue will continue Wednesday.