NCP urges govt to adopt first draft of July Charter implementation order
"At the same time, we appreciate the commission’s sincere efforts," said NCP leader Nasiruddin Patwary.
National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin has said the government must adopt Proposal 1, the first draft of an implementation order for the July National Charter recommended by the National Consensus Commission, to give the charter legal standing.
Speaking at a press conference at the party's Banglamotor office this afternoon (29 October), Nasiruddin asserted that the commission's submission of recommendations to the government yesterday for the July Charter implementation is a result of the party's uncompromising stance on the matter.
"We believe that this was possible thanks to the NCP's unwavering stance to ensure the legal foundation of the July Charter," Nasiruddin added.
At the press conference, the NCP made three appeals to the government: to ensure the legal foundation of the July Charter by adopting Proposal 1; to initiate the drafting and publication of a constitutional reform bill; and if the government accepts the draft order providing the legal basis for the implementation of the July Charter, it will create progress towards the signing of the charter.
"At the same time, we appreciate the commission's sincere efforts," Nasiruddin added, urging the interim government to act without delay to implement the recommendations.
He continued, "The NCP believes that the government should proceed with Proposal 1, or the the first draft, recommended by the commission, as Clause 8(e) of that proposal states that if the Constitutional Reform Council fails to complete its work within the stipulated time, the reform bill will be deemed to have been adopted and come into force as law.
"This is a vital recommendation to ensure binding implementation of the referendum mandate on the July Charter, a principle seen in various countries."
He noted that Proposal 2 does not contain any such clear provision, which could undermine the entire reform process.
However, Nasiruddin pointed out several linguistic ambiguities in Proposal 1 that he said should be corrected.
"For instance, Clause 8(a) should say the next elected parliament shall exercise the structural authority over constitutional reform, not may. Similarly, the phrase 'will consider' in Clause 8(d) regarding the reform bill creates uncertainty that needs clarification."
