Another lease of NCC life likely as July charter unfinished

Another lease of life of the National Consensus Commission (NCC) is likely as its term ends late today sans the July Charter on state reforms signed and its implementation modus operandi determined for political disagreements.

Some major political parties gave a positive nod to extension of the period for a second time at Sunday's meeting of the commission that was presided over by Chief Adviser of the post-uprising government Prof Muhammad Yunus.

Commission sources, however, told the FE that the tenure extension is not required for signing the final copy of the charter as it is ready and the implementation method is separate from reaching consensus on the charter.

Major political parties, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and NCP, openly advocated for extension of the commission tenure, the commission sources said.

The meeting with the commission over, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed told reporters at a briefing that the next phase of dialogue with the commission is likely to begin Wednesday.

The commission tenure will be extended as its tenure expires Monday, he added. "As the political parties want to sit further with or without any formal structure of the NCC to reach consensus on the implementation process, the government is considering extending the tenure," a source close to the commission told the FE.

The commission sources have said the decision on extending tenure completely depends on the government.

Earlier, pending the political consensus on the reform recipe, the interim government had extended the panel tenure until September 15.

At the briefing, the BNP leader suggested that the chief adviser could further hold discussions with political parties through small meetings to forge consensus on the implementation methods and other unresolved issues.

The BNP also suggests taking opinion of the Appellate Division so that no questions arise in the future regarding the implementation of the July Charter.

Salahuddin Ahmed said BNP had already sent the names of two representatives to sign the July National Charter, adding: "We are ready to sign the charter. However, there are some corrections and observations, which will be communicated."

Regarding the election, this member of the BNP Standing Committee thinks all the issues are separate --reforms will continue, the judicial process will continue, but the elections "must be held on time".

"If uncertainty arises in the elections, it could pose a threat not only to national security but also to regional security," he warns.

Jamaat Assistant Secretary-General Hamidur Rahman Azad also advocated for extending the commission tenure at a briefing after the meeting with the commission.

He also requested that it be completed by the hands of NCC Vice-President Ali Riaz.

He argues that the next election be fair, impartial and acceptable only if it is held on the basis of the July Charter.

At this time, Azad, highlighting two ways to implement the charter from the party's side, said one is a Provisional Constitutional Order. There is a precedent for this in the past.

Another is a referendum. It also has a history in the country. If the parties cannot agree, the people will give their verdict through a referendum, he added.

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