National Consensus Commission Vice Chairman Prof Ali Riaz on Wednesday said the commission aims to finalise the July Charter’s implementation process ahead of the extended one-month deadline.
“I don’t think it will take a full month to decide. Expert advice has already been sought and we hope to see the implementation soon,” he said during the third phase meeting with political parties that began on Wednesday at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital.
The government on Tuesday extended the tenure of the National Consensus Commission until October 15.
He said the Chief Adviser, serving as the commission chair, is fully aware of all matters and will attend the UN session on September 21.
Before that, Ali Riaz added, the CA would be briefed on the progress of implementing the charter.
He said the commission has sent a final draft to political parties and the parties have suggested six approaches including proposals for implementation through a referendum and leaving it to parliament, he added.
Jamaat seeks ‘constitution order’, referendum on July Charter
Ali Riaz said the commission’s expert panel has given a clear recommendation. “We categorised all the suggestions into six parts. Some matters can be implemented via ordinances or executive orders and we have urged the government to take necessary steps swiftly,” he said.
He added that for constitutional matters the panel recommended either a referendum or a special constitutional order. Considering all aspects, the commission presented its advice to the parties.
“We can give multiple suggestions to the government which can then act comparatively easily after reviewing legal and constitutional requirements,” he said.
Ali Riaz also said political parties were asked to nominate two representatives each to sign the charter and most parties have complied. “We hope the government will take the necessary legal measures in this regard,” he added.
NCC weighs special order or referendum to enforce July Charter reforms
The meeting was attended by representatives of 30 political parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Ganosamhati Andolon, and the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB).
The session, chaired by the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haider, was attended by commission members Justice Md Emadul Haque, Dr Iftekharuzzaman and Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar.