Shaping Bangladesh's future key goal of consensus commission: Ali Riaz
Creating a roadmap for the future of Bangladesh is one of the key objectives of the National Consensus Commission, its Vice-Chairman Ali Riaz said today (8 April).
"This is the first time during the post-independence period that we've got an opportunity to create a way for state reforms. This has been possible due to the struggle of the mass people of this country," he said while addressing a dialogue held between the Consensus Commission and Nagorik Oikya at the Jatiya Sangsad Complex.
He said the tenure of the National Consensus Commission will expire on 15 July this year. "We aim to complete our work within this period. With continued discussions with all stakeholders, we hope to formulate a national charter."
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Noting that an election will be held as part of this process, Riaz said, "The Consensus Commission will play a role in ensuring that the next election is conducted smoothly."
Commission members Safar Raj Hossain, Justice Emdadul Haque and Dr Iftekharuzzaman and Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Monir Haider were present.
A Nagorik Oikya delegation, led by its presidium member Zillur Chowdhury Dipu, joined the talks.
The commission has so far received reform opinions from 29 political parties and held talks with six political parties.
Bikalpa Dhara and Gono Odhikar Parishad are expected to submit their respective opinions before the commission on Wednesday.
The Consensus Commission, spearheaded by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, started its work on 15 February.
The commission identified the crucial recommendations made in the reports of five reform commissions – the constitution reform commission, the public administration reform commission, the electoral system reform commission, the judiciary reform commission and the ACC reform commission – to seek opinions from the political parties.
Later, the commission sent a set of recommendations in a spreadsheet format to 38 political parties asking them to send their specific opinions on the important reform recommendations by 13 March.
The consensus commission started its dialogues with political parties on 20 March and it has a plan to complete the first round of talks by the first week of May.
