Most parties agree upon amending presidential election process, BNP for existing method

Most of the political parties agreed on amending the presidential election process by introducing an electoral college, but the BNP favours the existing method with possible expansion.

Watch: What Ali Riaz briefs reporters

"Everyone wants to change the existing electoral process. But almost all proposed alternatives are linked to the establishment of a bicameral legislature. So, a decision on the legislature must come first," Vice-Chair of the National Consensus Commission Ali Riaz said while briefing journalists at the conclusion of the Commission's second-phase discussions, held at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital.

Riaz said there is unanimous support for amending Article 48(1) of the Constitution, which currently stipulates that the President is elected by Members of Parliament.

Ali Riaz also announced that the commission would reconvene at 10:30am on 22 June to continue discussions on unresolved issues.

'Majority of parties back two-term limit for PM, bicameral parliament'

Professor Ali Riaz also stated that most political parties have agreed on the formation of a bicameral parliament consisting of upper and lower houses. "In addition, the majority of parties also support limiting the tenure of the prime minister to two terms."

He noted that although today's discussion was scheduled to cover constitutional principles, the prime minister's term, and electoral area delimitation, the commission revisited the topic of the presidential election due to incomplete discussion in the previous session.

BNP for existing process with possible expansion 

BNP's Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed stated, "We have submitted our written stance regarding the presidential election. We want the presidential election to be held under the existing system, but if an upper house is created in the parliament and the number of women's reserved seats expands to 100, the president will be elected with 500 votes including those of 300 directly elected members of the parliament." 

"Many parties have said the vote should be by secret ballot. After all, members of parliament should vote independently. If I am to give further opinion, I may need approval from my party," he added.

Salahuddin Ahmed said that the discussion on the presidential election has not yet been resolved, as issues such as the powers of the president and whether the electoral college will be expanded are still under debate. For this reason, the topic of a bicameral parliament was discussed again today.

He added that since discussions on the prime minister's term started late, these will resume on Sunday.

Salahuddin further noted, "According to our written position, no individual should be able to become prime minister after serving two consecutive terms."

Most parties back limiting PM's consecutive terms: Jamaat nayeb-e-ameer

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and most of the parties have reached a consensus on limiting the tenure of prime minister to two consecutive terms, Jamaat's Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher said after today's meeting.

Speaking to reporters, the Jamaat leader, however, acknowledged that some parties have expressed their opposing views on this specific proposal.

Nur calls for proportional representation in bicameral legislature

Meanwhile, Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur offered a different point of discussion, advocating for proportional representation in at least one chamber if a bicameral legislature is established.

Hasnat Abdullah calls for democratic reforms

National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Organiser (South) Hasnat Abdullah stated that the discussion around creating an upper house of parliament emerged from talks on forming an electoral college. 

"During these discussions, there was a general agreement on reserving 100 seats for the proposed upper house. The tenure of the prime minister also came under discussion, where most parties supported limiting it to a maximum of two consecutive terms."

Addressing parties that are rigid in holding onto their written positions, he said, "Some parties believe they will come to power and can then manipulate the system to their advantage — a system that excludes the people. We want to make it clear that such power structures will not last."