NCC resumes talks with political parties today

The National Consensus Commission (NCC) will resume discussions with political parties today, as the parties could not reach a consensus on the implementation method of the July Charter within the given timeframe.

The government, on Monday, extended the Commission's tenure until October 15, effective immediately, for the second time, the Cabinet Division said in a notification, as the previous tenure expired late Monday.

The NCC was initially given six months to help political parties reach consensus and sign the July Charter. However, the signing has not yet taken place, despite the final copy of the national consensus being ready with the Commission.

Earlier, the interim government had extended the commission's term by one month last July.

Uncertainty remains over whether political parties can agree on the charter's implementation process, as they have taken completely different positions on the method.

In response, the NCC is preparing its own recommendations for implementation if the parties fail to reach a concrete decision or common position. Speaking to The Financial Express, Commission member Badiul Alam Majumdar said the NCC believes political parties will reach consensus on the implementation method during the extended period.

"We will provide our recommendations to the government if the political parties fail to reach consensus. The government will then decide which process to follow. However, we have yet to determine the recommendations," he added.

He further explained, "The recommendations will be finalised after discussions with the political parties, if required. We will prepare them after discussions on the implementation method conclude."

Asked whether any legal issues could arise from the method, he said, "There will be no legal complications if the political parties agree on the implementation method."

The Commission believes that the next government will review the legal aspects, and the courts could also play a role in this regard.

The government extended the tenure at the request of the political parties, who sought further discussions to resolve disagreements over the July Charter not on the streets, but through dialogue. They openly advocated for extending the tenure at the Commission meeting on Sunday, presided over by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.

The final copy of the charter is ready; the implementation method is separate from reaching consensus on the charter itself. The commission will now continue discussions on this matter.

Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party (NCP) want the next national election to be held based on the July Charter, with prior approval. BNP, on the other hand, suggested that reforms not linked to the constitution can be implemented by executive order, but remained firm on leaving constitutional reforms to the next parliament.

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