The interim government on Saturday announced that it would complete some basic reforms based on a political consensus before the next general election.
Law adviser Asif Nazrul made the announcement at a briefing on the occasion of making the full reports of six reform commissions.
He said that the interim government would quit power after holding the much-sought national elections following some fundamental reforms based on a political consensus.
鈥楾he reform commissions have proposed some short-term recommendations as immediate measures which could be implemented shortly,鈥� the adviser said.
Discussions with political parties on reforms will start in the mid of February, he said, citing chief adviser Muhammad Yunus鈥檚 statement on holding the national election either by December or by June 2026.
Chief adviser鈥檚 press secretary Shafiqul Alam and deputy press secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were also present at the briefing.
The interim government received the complete reports of the six commissions and made those available online.
The law adviser said that public administration reform commission鈥檚 recommendations, including the establishment of a permanent public administration reform commission, could be implemented soon as reforms may be required from time to time.
As there are allegations against government officials of political allegiance, the reform commission suggested formulating a new code of conduct that could be framed immediately.
It has also recommended the complete digital transformation of public services, the introduction of regular public hearings, and the formation of citizen committees in districts and upazilas.
To reduce unnecessary expenditures and improve coordination, the commission has advised cutting ministry expenses.
The commission proposed the merger of the local government engineering department and public health engineering department; and the Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority, Economic Zone Authority and Investment Development Bureau.
The commission also recommended three separate Public Service Commissions for general, education and health categories.
The law affairs adviser termed the recommendations as immediate measures.
Like these, the judicial reform commission has proposed a transfer policy for lower court judges, a code of conduct for judicial service officials, regulation of lawyers鈥� fees, the establishment of civil and criminal courts at the upazilas, a permanent attorney service, an independent investigation service, the formation of commercial courts, the integration of IT departments in lower courts, the setting up of information desks in courts, arrangements for women and children in court premises as the short-term recommendations.
The law adviser cited online testimony by police, a ban on political activities within judicial courts, reappointment of retired judges to reduce case backlogs, and the recruitment of support staff in courts through the Judicial Service Commission as short-term measures.
鈥業f we believe that political party consensus is necessary on these matters, we will take the initiative,鈥� Asif Nazrul said.
He cited the police reform commission鈥檚 proposals, including formation of a separate investigation unit, providing human rights training for police personnel, improving their facilities, establishing a code of conduct and investigating complaints against the police through the Human Rights Commission as immediate measures.
Amendments to several laws related to the Election Commission, the Election Commission Appointment Act, the Delimitation of Parliamentary Constituencies Act, the Representation of the People Order and policies concerning election observers and journalists have been proposed as short-term measures.
Additionally, the electoral reform commission has recommended revising the code of conduct for political parties and candidates, modifying the affidavit format and amending local government laws, Asif Nazrul said.
鈥榃e believe that political parties will need to reach a consensus on many of these issues,鈥� he said.
The electoral reform commission has suggested some administrative reforms, including updating the voter list, redefining parliamentary constituency boundaries, and conducting trials on postal ballots and online voting, he said.
As an immediate measure, the Anti-Corruption Commission reform commission has proposed the appointment of an ombudsman and the permanent prohibition of all activities related to the legalisation of undisclosed wealth and indemnity provisions.
