For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
The National Consensus Commission has sat with political parties to forge agreement on unresolved issues, including state principles, the method of electing the president, and women’s representation in parliament.
The 22nd meeting in the second phase began around 3pm at the Foreign Service Academy on Wednesday, reports bdnews24.com.
At the start of the meeting, seven agenda items were displayed on a screen. These are women’s representation in parliament, provisions related to the appointment of the Public Service Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission, comptroller and auditor general and ombudsman, powers and responsibilities of the president [Article 48(3)], the method of electing the president, including the electoral college, the formation of an upper house, method of electing its members and jurisdiction, proposal on expanding citizens’ fundamental rights, and state principles.
Earlier in a briefing, the commission’s Vice-Chair Ali Riaz said: “One of our key responsibilities is to make decisions. We are trying to reach consensus on these matters quickly and expect to announce the decisions by [Thursday].”
He noted that significant progress has been made in the discussion on women’s representation in parliament.
“A written draft on this will be handed over to the participating parties.”
A separate proposal on the expansion of citizens’ fundamental rights has been distributed among participants.
Riaz said, “At the preliminary stage, all parties have agreed in principle on the expansion of fundamental rights. However, there are differing views on what kind of constitutional amendments might be introduced.”
He said recommendations and objections raised by the BNP have been clearly presented to the commission and are playing a key role in moving the discussions forward.
The panel’s vice-chair continued, “By the end of today, we will deliver to the political parties a list of issues on which consensus has been reached. We hope that by tomorrow, we can present a unified and acceptable draft charter to all parties.”
Urging cooperation from political parties to accelerate the process, he said: “As you have supported us from the beginning, we hope that this cooperation will continue.”
Although a proposal on the powers and responsibilities of the president is not yet ready, discussions are under way to reach decisions quickly on the remaining issues, he added.