Small political parties, who shared their opinions with the National Consensus Commission on reform proposals till Monday, have opposed the idea of a constituent assembly to implement key reforms, according to party leaders.
Regarding reforms in the constitution, electoral system, judiciary, public administration and the Anti-Corruption Commission, they expressed mixed opinions.
Some recommended major reforms after the next national election, while others suggested issuing an ordinance on consensus-based reforms before the election, followed by approval by elected parliament members.
On March 5, the National Consensus Commission sought opinions from 38 out of the 49 registered political parties on its 166-point questionnaire regarding key recommendations made by five reform commissions.
The questionnaire sought party consent on implementing the proposed reforms through an ordinance or referendum before the election, a referendum during the election, a constituent assembly, post-election amendments, or amendment by elected assembly members.
According to the commission, 13 parties shared their opinions till Monday afternoon.
Major parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, are expected to share their opinions in a few days.
The parties which shared their opinions include Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), Nagarik Oikya, Bangladesh Labour Party, Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Bangladesh Jasad), Rashtra Sangskar Andolon, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Jatiyatabadi Ganatantrik Andolan (NDM), Bhashani Anusari Parishad, Aamjanatar Dal, Khelafat Majlish, Jamiyat E Ulema E Islam Bangladesh, Liberal Democratic Party and Zaker Party.
AB Party joint secretary Sunny Abdul Haque said that the option of reforms through an ordinance before the national election was unacceptable as per Article 93 of the constitution.
AB Party leaders also said that reforms through a referendum before the election, a referendum during the election, a constituent assembly, post-election amendments, or by elected assembly members would be complex and time-consuming.
鈥楧espite legal issues, we have partially agreed to the proposal of issuing ordinance. In that case, the interim government may seek further constitutional interpretation from the Appellate Division through the attorney general,鈥� said the party chairman, Mojibur Rahman Monju.
After submitting opinions to the consensus commission, Nagarik Oikya general secretary Shahidullah Kaiser said that his party opposed reforms through a constituent assembly.
His party also disagreed with the proposal for a bicameral legislature.
鈥楤angladesh is currently not prepared for a bicameral legislature,鈥� Shahidullah said.
Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Bangladesh Jasad) presidium member Mushtuq Husain said that his party agreed to the idea of a bicameral legislature.
He said that an ordinance, following consensus among all parties, could facilitate the introduction of a bicameral legislature.
鈥榃e do not believe there is a need for a constituent assembly,鈥� Mushtuq said.
He added that his party, which supports the 1972 constitution, disagreed with the newly proposed fundamental principles for the constitution.
Rastra Sangskar Andolon organiser Syed Hasibuddin Hossen said that his party supported the making of key reforms, including the introduction of a bicameral legislature, through a referendum before the national election.
Bhasani Anusari Parishad convener Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu said that his party opposed the idea of a constituent assembly.
鈥楢ll key reforms should be made by elected parliamentarians. They will decide whether the country鈥檚 legislature should be unicameral or bicameral,鈥� he said.
Bangladesh Labour Party chairman Mostafijur Rahman Iran said that his party opposed the option of a constituent assembly.
He expressed support for a bicameral legislature, proposing that 300 members of the lower house be directly elected, while the upper house would comprise 100 members selected through proportional representation based on the votes received by parties.
鈥楾he bicameral parliament system can be introduced through an ordinance if all political parties agree,鈥� said Mostafijur.
Echoing Mostafijur鈥檚 views, Nationalist Democratic Movement secretary general Mominum Amin said that his party agreed to such recommendations for electing members for both the lower and upper houses. However, his party did not endorse either the ordinance or the constituent assembly as a means of implementation.
鈥楨xcept for necessary reforms in the ACC, we believe all key reforms should be made by elected parliamentarians,鈥� Mominul said.
Speaking to media at the NCC office on the Jatiya Sangsad premises on Monday, the consensus commission vice-chairman, Ali Riaz, said that despite issues related to the month of Ramadan, dialogues with individual political parties would start soon.
Although the deadline expired on March 13, at least 18 parties have requested the consensus commission to grant them additional time to share their opinions, he said.
The commission has been tasked with drafting a consensus-based 鈥楴ational Charter鈥� by July 15.