Consensus Commission session begins with prime minister's term on agenda

The National Consensus Commission has resumed its unfinished discussions with political parties with the prime minister's term on the agenda, Vice-Chairman Ali Riaz said today (22 June).

The meeting began at 11:30 am on Sunday (22 June) at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital for the fifth day of its second phase.

At the outset, Ali Riaz said, "From the commission's side, and from my personal opinion, if you make further concessions, these issues will become easier to resolve. There is no 'us and them' here. We are all together in this process."

The Commission has stated that after the discussions conclude, Ali Riaz will brief the journalists present. 

Subsequently, representatives of the political parties will also speak to the media one by one and present their positions.

After a two-day break, representatives from various political parties, including the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, took part in the dialogue.

Alongside Ali Riaz and other members of the Consensus Commission were present at the talks.

They include Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, head of the Public Administration Reform Commission; Safar Raj Hossain, chief of the Police Reform Commission; Badiul Alam Majumdar, head of the Electoral Reform Commission; Justice Emdadul Haque, chief of the Judiciary Reform Commission; and Iftekharuzzaman, head of the Anti-Corruption Commission Reform body.

Despite the ongoing sessions, political parties have yet to reach a common ground on key issues such as the distribution of seats in a proposed Upper House of Parliament and the formation of a National Constitutional Council (NCC).

Earlier on 3 June, 33 parties participated in the first day's meeting. On the second day (17 June), 29 parties participated. The third and fourth days of discussion took place on 18,19 June.

So far, only two decisions have been made in 50 sessions. The commission decided that, except for financial bills and confidence motions, MPs will be allowed to vote against their own party under a reformed Article 70 of the Constitution. 

However, the BNP submitted a note of dissent, stating that if they come to power, they will also include constitutional amendments and national security matters under Article 70.

In addition, the heads of four permanent parliamentary committees — Public Accounts, Privileges, Estimates, and Undertakings — must be nominated from the opposition. 

However, Jamaat, the NCP, and most other parties demanded that the opposition be given chair positions in more committees based on proportional representation.

Apart from that, although there is an agreement on the formation of an upper house in parliament and increasing the number of women's seats, the parties have not yet reached a consensus on the method of election. As a result, discussions are ongoing.

Moreover, while most parties agree on forming a National Constitutional Council (NCC), reforming the presidential election process, and changing the method of appointing the chief justice, no final consensus has been reached due to differing opinions from a few parties.