Despite note of dissent, decision taken on women's representation in parliament: Ali Riaz
“However, some political parties are in favour of direct elections and some parties are in favour of elections to reserved seats for women through the proportional representation (PR) system,” he said.
National Consensus Commission Vice Chairman Professor Ali Riaz yesterday (30 July) said there is a consensus on the gradual increase in women's representation in the National Parliament to 100 seats.
"However, some political parties are in favour of direct elections and some parties are in favour of elections to reserved seats for women through the proportional representation (PR) system," he said.
Ali Riaz added. "As an immediate step, we have been able to take a decision on several issues despite the note of dissent of some political parties in order to increase women's representation in parliament".
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He made these remarks while briefing journalists after the 22nd day of the second phase of discussions of commission with political parties at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.
Commission members Justice Md Emdadul Haque, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, Safar Raj Hossain, Dr Md Ayub Mia and Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Manir Haidar were present.
The immediate steps to increase women's representation in Parliament are, necessary amendments to Article 65 (3) of the constitution while maintaining the existing 50 reserved seats, each political party has been called upon to nominate at least 5% cent women candidates for 300 seats in the general election following signing of the July Charter, and political parties will nominate 10% women candidates in the next general election.
In this manner, the nomination of women candidates will continue at a minimum rate of 5% increment in every general election until the target of nominating at least 33% women candidates is achieved.
The term of reserved women seats was extended by 25 years through the seventeenth amendment to the constitution, which is estimated to remain in force until 2043.
However, if the target of 33% women candidates is achieved before 2043, the provision introduced through the seventeenth amendment will be repealed before the stipulated time.
Ali Riaz said some proposals were given to the political parties today to amend Article 48 (3) of the constitution to increase the powers and responsibilities of the president for the balance of power.
If the political parties reach consensus on these issues, discussions can be held on bringing necessary amendments to the constitution and laws, he said.
Representatives of 30 political parties including Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP), Gano Odhikar Parishad, Gana Sanghati Andolon, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Biplobi Workers Party, Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party participated in today's discussions.
