The National Consensus Commission has sent a questionnaire to different political parties to gather their opinions on key reform proposals.
The questionnaire sent to the parties Wednesday evening asked the parties to indicate whether they agree, partially agree, or disagree with the proposed reforms.
The questionnaire contains multiple-choice questions covering a total of 254 points. These points pertain to reforms in the constitution, electoral system, judiciary, public administration, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and the police.
Regarding the timeline for implementing the proposed reforms, the questionnaire asked whether the political parties supported specific reforms being enacted through an ordinance or a referendum before the national election.
Alternatively, it sought opinions on whether reforms should be introduced through a referendum during the national elections, through a constituent as sembly, through constitutional amendments after the election, or by elected members of the constituent assembly and parliament.
A letter signed by NCC vice-chairman Professor Ali Riaz was also sent with the questionnaire, setting March 13 as the deadline for the political parties to respond.
Professor Riaz told 抖阴精品 that the expected political consensus would be developed based on an analysis of the feedback from the questionnaire and a series of dialogues with political parties.
Regarding the recommendations proposed by the constitution reform commission, the questionnaire sought political parties鈥� opinions on several key issues including the establishment of a bicameral legislature, a 10 per cent quota for youth in the lower house or national assembly, proportional representation in the upper house or senate, and a requirement for a two-thirds majority of the bicameral legislature to amend the constitution.
Other proposals include provisions for the impeachment of the president, four-year tenure for governments, the formation of a national constitutional council, and the introduction of a 90-day interim government.
One particular question asked political parties whether they supported the exclusion of secularism, socialism, and nationalism from the constitution and the inclusion of equality, human dignity, social justice, pluralism, and democracy as fundamental principles.
On electoral reforms, the questionnaire includes proposals such as enacting a law to appoint the chief election commissioner and other commissioners through political consensus.
It also addressed limiting the prime minister鈥檚 tenure to a maximum of two terms, requiring a political party to secure at least three per cent of total votes cast for proportional representation in the senate, and amending the International Crimes Tribunal Act and the Representation of the People Order to bar candidates accused of crimes against humanity.
Additional proposals include holding local elections before national elections, establishing a separate boundary commission, and making the Election Commission accountable to an all-party parliamentary committee chaired by the Senate speaker.
The questionnaire also outlined proposed judicial reforms.
These included appointing the chief justice from the most senior judges of the Appellate Division, introducing a code of conduct for sitting and retired Supreme Court judges, forming a Supreme Court secretariat, decentralising the High Court, creating a permanent attorney service, establishing magistrate courts in all upazilas, and forming an independent investigation service.
Regarding public administration, the political parties were asked to provide their views on establishing an independent and permanent public administration reform commission.
Other proposals include amending the Right to Information Act 2009 and the Official Secrets Act 1923, creating two new administrative divisions, appointing upazila public security officers and restructuring the Public Service Commission.
Other points include introducing provincial governance and a capital city government, forming a superior executive service and an independent investigation commission, repealing the Superior Selection Board, and appointing secretaries based on recommendations from the cabinet.
The questionnaire also presented reforms related to the Anti-Corruption Commission. These include amending Article 20(2) of the constitution, section 309 of the Income Tax Act 2023, and specific sections of the ACC Act 2004.
Further proposals involve granting constitutional recognition for the ACC, implementing an anti-corruption strategy through an ombudsman, enacting laws on conflict of interest resolution and prevention, introducing legal reforms to disclose beneficiaries of companies, trusts, and foundations, requiring political parties to disclose their sources of income, and automating services in the public sector.
Although the NCC officials stated that they began dispatching the questionnaire Wednesday evening, several political parties including Ganosamhati Andolan, Jatiya Nagarik Party, and parties affiliated with the Left Democratic Alliance did not receive it until Thursday evening, according to the party leaders.
