Referendum needed for caretaker govt system change: Ali Riaz

National Consensus Commission (NCC) Vice Chairman Prof Ali Riaz has said a referendum would be required for any future change to the caretaker- government system in the Constitution.

"Political parties have agreed to restore the caretaker government provision in the Constitution. Therefore, any future change to this system need to be made through a referendum," Prof Riaz told reporters on Tuesday after the 14th day of the second phase of discussions between political parties and the NCC, held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

He expressed optimism about reaching a consensus next week on the process of appointing the head of the caretaker government.

Regarding discussions on a bicameral parliament, Prof Riaz noted that while a majority of parties and alliances supported the idea, they had yet to agree on how it should be formed.

"There is still no consensus on the process of forming a bicameral legislature," he said, adding that the commission had been entrusted with the responsibility of making a decision on this matter, as the political parties had been unable to do so after multiple rounds of talks.

Prof Riaz hoped the Commission would come to a decision through informal discussions among its members and with the political parties by next week.

Urging the political parties to take ownership of the process, he said, "The NCC is not an isolated body. It is a partner in this collective effort. Therefore, if this initiative fails, the failure will not be the commission's alone - it will be a failure for all of us."

Representatives from 30 political parties, including the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and National Citizen Party, participated in the talks.

Following the meeting, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed told reporters that the party wanted stronger constitutional safeguards for the caretaker government.

"If any attempt is made to alter the caretaker government system in the future, we propose that it be done through a referendum."

He also noted that while most parties had agreed in principle on establishing a bicameral parliament, there was no consensus yet on the formation, powers, or functions of the proposed upper house.

The BNP also called for reinstating the previous system of women's representation in parliament.

Jamaat-e-Islami supported the idea of a referendum, saying it could help break the ongoing deadlock among political parties.

"We can go for a referendum and let the people decide. If they approve key reforms -- such as introducing proportional representation in both houses - then who are we to oppose it? And if they reject them, who are we to insist?" said Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher during a media briefing.

He added that Jamaat had also submitted a proposal regarding reforms to the caretaker system.

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