Parties agree on 10-year limit for PM, independent police commission

Political parties have reached a consensus that no individual should serve as prime minister for more than 10 years in total over their lifetime, and that an independent police commission should be formed to ensure professionalism and accountability in the police force.

"To implement this, necessary amendments will be made to relevant articles of the constitution," said Professor Ali Riaz, vice chair of the National Consensus Commission (NCC).

"We had reached a consensus on one matter earlier but hadn't announced it publicly," he said during the 19th session of the second-round reform dialogue held today (27 July) at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

He also noted that a draft of the July Charter has been prepared and will be shared with political parties today.

Clarifying his party's position on limiting the prime minister's term, BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed said, "We earlier proposed that no one shall remain in the post of prime minister for more than 10 years. I had mentioned that if there is no provision for appointments to the constitutional and statutory bodies through a committee, we won't agree to this.

"The forum has now agreed to include such a mechanism in the constitution for appointing the Election Commission. If similar committees are introduced for other bodies, the same conditions will apply," he added.

"We hope you will take this into consideration. You may go ahead and announce the 10-year limit – after all, it was our proposal." 

Some 30 political parties, including Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP), are participating in the second-round dialogue.

So far, agreement has been reached on 10 issues, including the inclusion of notes of dissent.

Discussions are still ongoing on seven more issues, while three issues are yet to be addressed.

Consensus on forming independent police commission

Earlier in the day, the commission proposed the formation of an independent police commission aimed at ensuring professionalism and accountability in the Bangladesh Police.

Regarding the police commission, Prof Riaz said, "We are in agreement on the need for an independent police commission. Discussions will continue on the formation process."

During the placement of the proposal, he said the issue of forming a police commission was not among the original 166 reform proposals sent to political parties for opinion.

In light of the police role during the July Uprising and over the past 16 years, this demand for a police commission is legitimate. That's why, following both formal and informal consultations, the proposal has been brought to the table, he said.

Akhtar Hossain, member secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP), said, "In the past, the police have been used for political purposes. That's why there is now a call to establish an independent commission to ensure accountability and make the police more public-oriented."

Rafiqul Islam Khan, assistant secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami, echoed the sentiment, saying, "We also support the commission's proposal to form an independent police commission."

How the commission will be formed

The draft proposes forming the Bangladesh Police Commission led by a retired Appellate Division judge under 72, with a retired Additional IGP under 62 as member secretary.

The commission will include representatives from both the ruling and opposition parties – nominated by the leader of the house, opposition leader, speaker, and deputy speaker.

It will also include a Supreme Court lawyer with 15 years' experience, a human rights activist with at least 10 years' experience, and a retired Additional IGP-rank officer. At least two members must be women.

A selection committee – comprising the home minister, the chair of the parliamentary standing committee on home affairs, and a High Court judge with 10 years' experience – will appoint some members.

The chairperson and member secretary will serve full time, while the other seven will serve voluntarily, with allowances for official duties.

On July Charter

Mentioning that a draft of the July Charter has been prepared, Ali Riaz said the draft includes not only areas of reform where consensus has been reached, but also background information, the process of formulation, and the commitments involved.

"We will not discuss the draft here, because these are matters of words. If any major fundamental objection arises, those will be discussed," said Professor Riaz, adding that the final version of the charter will be prepared based on feedback from the parties.

On the issue of the fundamental principles of the constitution, Professor Ali Riaz said the commission has yet to reach a decision.

"Some are suggesting that the proposed principles be added to the existing fundamental principles of the constitution, while others are recommending that certain existing ones be dropped," he said.

"The commission will now re-evaluate the matter and come to a decision," he added.