BNP does not agree to NCC formation due to lack of accountability: Salahuddin
Introducing such a body, separate from existing institutions, could destabilise the current balance of power, he said
The BNP does not agree to the formation of the proposed National Constitutional Council (NCC) due to "lack of accountability", BNP's Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said today (18 June).
He made the remark while talking to reporters after attending the ongoing second phase of dialogue between the National Consensus Commission and political parties at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka today.
"The functions and responsibilities being proposed for the NCC are typically handled by the executive branch, or defined by law and constitutional provisions. It is unacceptable for a democratic party like the BNP to support the creation of a powerful body with no accountability," Salahuddin said.
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He added that introducing such a body, separate from existing institutions, could destabilise the current balance of power.
On the issue of presidential elections, the BNP leader said, "We believe the president should be elected by existing members of parliament and, if an upper house is created in the future, by its members as well."
He further emphasised the need to strengthen the framework for appointing officials to constitutional bodies. "There are already laws in place for these appointments. Those laws should be revised to ensure a stronger and more balanced state structure."
Under the proposed reform, the National Constitutional Council (NCC) will play a pivotal role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and balance among various state institutions.
The NCC will advise the president on the appointment of individuals to various key positions, including chief election commissioner and other election commissioners, the attorney general and additional attorney generals, chairman and other commissioners of the Public Service Commission, chairman and other commissioners of the Anti-Corruption Commission, chairman and other commissioners of the National Human Rights Commission, chief local government commissioner and other commissioners, chiefs of the defined forces, and any other positions as may be prescribed by law.
The NCC will be a national institution composed of representatives from three branches of the government, according to the commission's recommendations submitted to the chief adviser.
Its members will include the president, the prime minister, the leader of the opposition, speakers of the lower and upper houses, the chief justice, deputy speakers of the lower and upper houses nominated by the opposition party, and one member nominated by a majority vote of all members of both houses of the legislature excluding the prime minister, the leader of the opposition, and their respective party members.
