Consensus Commission revises NCC proposal, but BNP stands firm against it
The party, however, conditionally agrees to a 10-year lifetime cap on anyone as PM
After extensive talks with political parties, the National Consensus Commission yesterday revised its previous proposal for a National Constitutional Council (NCC) — meant to oversee appointments to key constitutional and statutory bodies — but the BNP remains opposed, arguing that it would curtail the powers of the executive branch.
Revising the previously proposed nine-member NCC, the commission suggested forming a seven-member "Appointment Committee for Constitutional and Statutory Institutions", excluding the president and chief justice – unlike the NCC.
The idea behind it was to establish a transparent framework for such high-level appointments, removing sole control from the executive branch.
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In response to the revised proposal, BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed said his party opposes the formation of the appointment committee.
BNP agrees to 10-year lifetime cap for PM, but opposes NCC in any form: Salahuddin
"We agree to limiting anyone serving as prime minister to a maximum of 10 years over a lifetime. However, if the executive branch's authority is curtailed through a body like that, we cannot support the term cap either," he told reporters after a meeting with the consensus commission today (25 June).
Consensus Commission Vice Chairman Prof Ali Riaz presented the revised NCC proposal at the start of the sixth day of the Consensus Commission's second-round talks with parties at the Foreign Service Academy today.
He said the appointment committee's mandate will be limited to overseeing the appointment process of constitutional and statutory bodies, excluding appointments such as the attorney general and the chiefs of the armed forces.
The revised appointment committee would include the prime minister, the opposition leader, speakers of the Lower and Upper Houses, a representative nominated by the president, an Appellate Division justice nominated by the chief justice and a person from other opposition parties, excluding the main opposition. The Lower House speaker would preside over its meetings.
After the meeting, Ali Riaz told reporters that the new proposal has been welcomed by most parties, though some have raised objections.
"Those in support have also offered suggestions. The full proposal is expected to be presented next week," he added.
Ali Riaz also said that while some parties have expressed views on upholding the basic principles of governance in the current constitution, no consensus has been reached.
"However, the majority have voiced support for values such as equality, human dignity, social justice, democracy, religious freedom, and communal harmony," he said.
Ali Riaz said that the issue of the prime minister's term was raised again, but no consensus or conclusion has been reached, pending a final decision on the appointment committee.
The decision to form a new committee instead of the previously proposed NCC comes after political parties failed to reach a consensus on it.
Earlier, the BNP said it does not agree to the formation of the proposed NCC due to a "lack of accountability."
"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," BNP's Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said after attending a meeting with the Consensus Commission on 18 June.
BNP stands firm against NCC in any form
After today's meeting with the consensus commission, BNP's Salahuddin Ahmed reiterated the party's position on the matter, saying it is against the NCC in any form.
He told reporters that he does not support "this idea of curtailing the powers of the executive branch".
"Our point is, why introduce this body into the constitution at all? The existing laws governing appointments to constitutional institutions should be reformed. A search committee can be formed, and provisions should be added to ensure transparency and accountability in these institutions. If there is no relevant law, one should be enacted; if a law already exists, it should be strengthened," Salahuddin said.
The BNP leader continued, "Democracy can only be strengthened if an independent Election Commission under a caretaker government holds free and fair elections, and if the judiciary ensures justice. Without addressing these fundamental issues, curtailing the executive branch's powers through such an appointment committee is not the solution. We cannot support this approach."
He added that there is no consensus on the commission's proposals regarding the principles of state governance or the constitutional articles introduced through the 5th Amendment, and therefore, these issues remain unresolved.
How Jamaat, other parties react to NCC revision proposal
Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher said all the political parties except BNP supported this new proposal, reports UNB.
Rafiqul Islam Khan, assistant secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami, told TBS that most parties, except the BNP, also agree on the proposed appointment committee.
Mujibur Rahman Monju of the AB Party said, "Previously, whoever Sheikh Hasina wanted was made the ACC chairman or the chief election commissioner. Surprisingly, now many are supporting fascist rules."
Akhtar Hossain, member secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP), said, "There should be a neutral body to handle such appointments. This committee was previously referred to as the NCC, but today the Commission has proposed a new name and introduced structural changes. We have no objection to the name change."
He added, "Some parties are not aligned with the aspirations of the people. They remain tightly bound to the old system. Today's discussion was unnecessarily prolonged. The BNP and its like-minded allies oppose this idea."
Professor Ashraf Ali, a praesidium member of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, said the number of constitutional and statutory bodies to be brought under the appointment committee must be clearly defined.
"We have also demanded the appointment of the army chief by this proposed committee. If the attorney general is appointed on a partisan basis, the opposition will never receive fair justice," he said.
The party's spokesperson, Gazi Ataur Rahman, added, "Our leftist brothers remain rigid on the 1972 Constitution's principles, just like the Awami League. Some political parties that were aligned with BAKSAL back in the day now appear to be the ones most inflexible about the basic principles."
