Next one can be both parliamentary, Constituent Assembly elections: Asif Nazrul

The next national elections can be both a parliamentary election and a Constituent Assembly election simultaneously, said Law Adviser Asif Nazrul today (11 May).

The adviser made the remark at a discussion, titled "Constitutional reform proposal and its possible method of implementation", organised by the Citizen Coalition at the auditorium of the International Mother Language Institute in the capital.

Nazrul said, "The next elections can be considered both a Constituent Assembly and a parliamentary election. Those who will win the polls can become members of parliament and members of the Constituent Assembly at the same time."

"Let's say the election winners can work as MPs four days a week, and the 1972 constitution will be amended during this time. The MPs can sit as Constituent Assembly members for two days a week to draft a new constitution," he said.

"Otherwise, those who will win the election can sit daily as MPs and work as Constituent Assembly members for three hours in the evening. These are some acceptable methods," he added.

The adviser said, "The fundamental clauses of the 1972 constitution can be changed and necessary amendments can be made until a new constitution is drafted after the next election."

Talking about the constitution, the adviser continued, "The national parliament's constitutional council drafts the constitution. There are examples of India where it has taken eight to nine years to draft a new constitution.

"Will we continue the 1972 constitution? The parliament will oversee the current constitution before a new constitution is drafted. We will amend the 1972 constitution if needed."

Speaking about the Constituent Assembly, Nazrul said, "The Constituent Assembly will keep on drafting a new constitution. I think this process will take two to three years. Will we accept the 1972 constitution during this time? The MPs will amend some fundamental clauses of the constitution, including the power of the prime minister and decentralisation of the higher court in the meantime."

When asked about the incorporation of the July Charter in the constitution, he said, "We have put great emphasis on the July Charter. We thought that politicians would agree on many points of the charter. Some fundamental parts of the charter can be included in the constitution."

Asked about the prime minister's term, the law adviser said, "It is a popular demand. It is my demand too. Demanding two terms for the prime minister only will not solve the problem, rather, we need to take part in convincing debates."

"Find out which other countries have two terms for the prime minister. Actually, this practice will not be found anywhere. The two terms are not the problem. Rather, we need to decrease the power of the prime minister," he added.

On the power of the upper house of the parliament, the adviser said, "The president can independently appoint the chief justice. In Bangladesh, the chief justice has immense power. He is the second most powerful person."