Commission shares expert opinions with political parties on July Charter implementation
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The National Consensus Commission shared expert panel opinions with political parties on the possible methods of implementing the July Charter.
The commission also adjourned discussions until the first of October to allow political parties to hold informal dialogue among themselves to reach a concrete decision on the implementation of the July Charter.
During the informal discussion, the commission said it would also remain in touch with political parties and facilitate them, said the commission’s vice president, Prof Ali Riaz, after the commission resumed fresh talks with political parties at the Foreign Service Academy in the city.
Earlier, the government extended the commission’s tenure for the second time, by one month until October 15, after political parties failed to reach a consensus on the implementation method of the July Charter.
Prof Riaz also shared the expert panel’s opinion that the interim government may enact a “Constitution Order” (CO) under the authority of Article 22 of the July Declaration, incorporating the core reforms envisaged by the July Charter 2025. The CO would take immediate effect.
The CO may thereafter be put to a referendum to be held on the same date as the next general elections. The CO may include provisions for such a referendum.
It was further added that if the CO receives the assent of the people through a referendum, it will be validated with effect from the date of its enactment.
He also said two issues had been agreed upon in the meeting held on September 11: first, that the interim government can issue ordinances to implement all recommendations not related to the Constitution; and second, that the interim government and concerned authorities can implement recommendations that can be carried out through the formulation of orders and rules by the government or the relevant authorities.
The government and the concerned authorities have already begun implementing some of these issues through appropriate steps.
Prof Riaz said that, as president of the commission, the Chief Adviser is aware of the overall situation. He will travel to New York on September 21 to attend the UN General Assembly session, and will be informed about progress on the implementation of the charter before his departure.
Prof Riaz mentioned that the commission has sent the final draft on the implementation of the charter to political parties.
He said that political parties have suggested six approaches: some propose implementation through a special constitutional order or referendum, while others favour leaving it to parliament.
Experts have suggested that issues related to the Constitution should be addressed through referendums and special constitutional orders. The government has also been advised to promptly complete those matters that can be done through ordinances.
Representatives of 30 political parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and NCP, participated in the meeting.
BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said after the meeting that talks are underway to reach a consensus among political parties, including avoiding unconstitutional moves and preventing the recurrence of fascism in the country.