July Charter order issued but 'crisis, ambiguities remain', says NCP's Akhtar

Although the order to implement the July Charter has been issued, the prevailing crisis and several ambiguities remain unresolved, National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain said today (14 November). 

Speaking at a press conference at the party's temporary office in the capital's Banglamotor, the NCP leader said, "Multiple sections of the July Charter implementation order still lack clarity. The referendum questions have been split, and some reforms have been given lower priority for political considerations."

Akhtar added that although the order states that the caretaker government, Election Commission, and other constitutional bodies will be formed according to the procedures outlined in the charter, it remains unclear whether mechanisms such as the note of dissent will be applicable.

He also pointed to the absence of clarity regarding the formation of an upper house, inclusion of women's representation, and the definition of constitutional bodies. 

Akhtar said, "Ambiguities also remain over Article 70, the provision allowing one person to hold multiple posts, and the process of approving international treaties.

"There is no clear direction on whether the referendum results will be binding, or to what extent the next parliament will have authority as a constitution reform council."

The NCP leader further noted that constitutional amendments typically require a two-thirds majority in parliament. 

"But for reforms related to the July Charter and the referendum, a simple majority has been deemed sufficient. If this applies only to these two matters, we have no objection. But if it leaves scope to include other issues in the constitution with a simple majority, that would violate the fundamental amendment process," he said.

Akhtar urged the government to promptly provide a proper explanation of the order and remove the ambiguities to resolve the crisis.