Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Tuesday termed the draft of the July Charter ‘incomplete’ and described its some parts as ‘dangerous’, particularly the proposal to implement reforms within two years by the next elected government.
“It’s incomplete and some parts of it are dangerous,” said Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher during a break in the 21st session of the second-round reform dialogues between the National Consensus Commission (NCC) and political parties at the city’s Foreign Service Academy.
Demanding a legal framework for the charter to ensure the implementation of the reform proposals agreed in the dialogue, the Jamaat leader proposed two options: either enact a legal framework through an ordinance and have it later ratified by an elected parliament, or obtain public mandate through a referendum.
He said Jamaat is preparing its own draft of the charter and will soon submit it to the Commission. “Whatever consensus is reached in the dialogue, there must be a legal framework for their implementation.”
Taher reiterated the issues on which political consensus achieved must be effective and backed by a legal structure. Otherwise, he warned, the political future of the country could descend into uncertainty.
“We are ready to proceed with either path to give legitimacy to this framework,” he said.
On the structure of the caretaker government, Taher said, there had been extensive discussions in the dialogue. “We all agreed that the national election must be held under a caretaker government. Almost everyone agrees, except BNP, which has placed some observations,” he said.
Jamaat seeks neutral, merit-based PSC to curb bureaucratic authoritarianism
According to the proposed framework, a five-member search committee would be formed, comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker (from the opposition), and a representative from the second-largest opposition party. This body would select the head of the caretaker government from a list of 12 prospective candidates.
If a unanimous choice cannot be made, the process would proceed in phases—from consensus to single-choice voting, and if necessary, ranked choice voting.
In that case, the total number of voters would be seven, including the five search committee members, one judge each from the Appellate Division and one from the High Court division.
“The two justices have been included to ensure that no third party or person becomes the sole deciding factor,” Taher said, adding, “We hope the judges will remain neutral and that this will reduce the risk of horse-trading in this selection process.”
Taher said BNP's main objection was that, in the absence of consensus, the matter should be referred to parliament.
But most parties, including Jamaat, believe that once the issue goes to parliament, no decision will ever be finalised, he said.