Nagorik Coalition terms Yunus-Tareque meeting a ‘hopeful development’

Nagorik Coalition, a platform advocating for democratic reforms in the state structure, has termed the upcoming meeting between Chief Adviser Yunus and BNP's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman a "hopeful development" on Wednesday.

In a press release, the platform said that a crisis is deepening due to the firm stance of the BNP and several other political parties against the proposed roadmap for April elections and their demand for polls to be held in December.

"This political deadlock is expected to escalate further after the Eid holidays," it warned.

It added that there are clear signs of conspiracies, both domestic and international, being orchestrated to destabilise Bangladesh.

Against this backdrop, the Nagorik Coalition described the upcoming June 13 meeting in London between Yunus and Tarique as "a very hopeful development amid the current political impasse."

The platform said it hopes their proposed '7/2' constitutional reform agenda to feature prominently in the discussion, the reforms aim to prevent constitutional authoritarianism and ensure neutrality in appointments, along with establishing institutional checks and balances in power.

Key elements of the proposal include, adopting the July Charter as a foundation for political consensus, allocating seats in the upper house through proportional representation, ensuring impartiality in constitutional appointments, reinstating the caretaker government system, and electing women's reserved seats through direct voting.

The platform further stated that neither December nor April is a practical timeframe for holding the next national election.

"Reaching consensus, enacting legal reforms, and preparing for elections within December would be highly challenging," it said, "while holding elections in April would discourage elderly and ill voters due to extreme heat."

It further mentioned that nationwide election-related activities and campaigning during the scorching Ramadan period would be difficult for political parties and government officials alike.

Additionally, the schedule would clash with the country's key public examinations-SSC and HSC-posing serious obstacles to a fair electoral process.

Despite these constraints, the government has yet to explain why it proposed April as the election timeline, the coalition said.

Even if election dates are set for the first half of April, there has been no announcement on when or how the key reform and election-related steps will be implemented, it added.

It warned that any delay in executing these phases could ultimately push back the proposed April election as well.