Consensus among parties must for nation's 'rebirth' thru fair, grand festive polls in Feb: CA
Yunus said the world will closely watch the method Bangladesh adopts on its path to the next national election, scheduled for February.
Highlights:
- Yunus calls February polls a 'grand festival', urges consensus for a 'New Bangladesh'
- BNP's Salahuddin warns delayed polls could spark a regional security threat
- Jamaat proposes giving the July Charter legal basis through Constitution Order
- NCP demands Constituent Assembly election to implement the July Charter
Reaffirming the interim government's commitment to ensuring a festive national election in February next, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus today (14 September) emphasised that political parties must reach a consensus without failure to make the journey towards "New Bangladesh" a success.
"The upcoming election will be a moment of celebration. If we resolve the remaining issues, it will be a grand festival and a true rebirth of the nation," he said while speaking at the National Consensus Commission (NCC) talks with the political parties held at Foreign Service Academy in the capital.
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Speaking at the same event, BNP's Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said if elections are not held on the prescribed timeline, it could become a regional security threat.
While briefing the journalists after the meeting, Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, proposed that the July Charter be given legal basis through Constitution Order-2025 and a referendum.
NCC Vice Chair Ali Riaz, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul and National Citizen Party leader Akhter Hossen also spoke at the event. Chief adviser's Special Assistant Monir Haider conducted the session.
Yunus said that when the NCC was formed, he was not sure whether this initiative would be successful or not. But, he mentioned, the commission members have set an 'unprecedented example' through long discussions and patience.
"You have done the main work; there is only a little road left. Everything depends on the last part. You should complete the rest of the road beautifully, setting an example for the world," Yunus said, noting that there is no other option but the path of reaching consensus.
"An opportunity is given to us, make sure that we do not lose anything big by getting stuck in relatively minor issues," he said, adding that the nation must march forward.
Yunus said they needed all these reforms so that no autocrat can reemerge and all avenues must be blocked.
"If we want to stop autocrats we need to do it jointly. My earnest appeal to you all, hug each other when you will finalise the July Charter," said Yunus, who is also the Commission chair.
Vice Chair of the Commission Prof Ali Riaz also urged political parties to protect and continue their unity and cooperation to reach a conclusion over the implementation of the National July Charter, saying that fascist forces and their allies are still trying to thwart the state reform process.
"We'll definitely be able to reach a final conclusion in the coming months by continuing and protecting the trend of cooperation among the political parties," he said while delivering his introductory speech at the talks.
'If elections are not held on time, it could become a regional security threat'
Underscoring the need for parliamentary polls to be held on time, BNP Leader Salahuddin Ahmed said, "Many say this will be a threat to national security. I say it could become a threat to regional security. There are two regional powers at play here. We do not want to lead Bangladesh into that. Elections must be held on the prescribed timeline," he said.
Salahuddin said reforms should be a continuous process, like judicial proceedings where time limits cannot be imposed because that would lead to injustice. "That will continue, whoever comes to power. But elections cannot be made conditional," he cautioned.
Emphasising the need to preserve the anti-fascist national unity and to convert it into strength through more negotiation, Salahuddin said, "We will compromise. If a method (to adopt the July Charter) can be found through dialogue, we will agree."
He added that the charter will be a national, political and historical document, so it must be accurate. "It would not be appropriate to include matters that have not been discussed. The fewer controversies, the better."
Salahuddin warned against turning the implementation process into a source of complication: "We don't want items left that will fail within two days or become subject to challenge. What we have agreed on will be implemented."
Salahuddin added that the chief adviser could issue a special constitutional order if needed; the commission had entrusted the adviser with responsibility to decide on charter implementation. "If a citizen later challenges it, that will call your global reputation into question," he cautioned, urging that any further steps be taken after consultations and, if necessary, seeking additional advice.
Jamaat proposes Constitution Order
Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, said, "We have proposed that the July Charter be given legal basis through Constitution Order–2025, and if a referendum is held on it, the charter will become even stronger.
"This way, no one will have the opportunity to challenge it later. According to Article 7 of the Constitution, sovereignty belongs to the people; if a constitution order is issued under this principle, it will be strengthened."
He referred to the Legal Framework Order, 1970, General Ziaur Rahman's referendum, and the constitutional changes following the 1991 mass uprising as precedents.
Hamidur Rahman Azad said, "If the July Charter is given legal basis, future elections must be held on its foundation. That will make elections festive and acceptable."
He further said, "Political parties have agreed on 84 issues under the July Charter. So, there are no longer any obstacles or discussions needed regarding its implementation. Once the charter is signed, it should be recognised as a state document. For a new journey towards democracy, there is no alternative to giving it legal basis. That way, no one will be able to challenge or nullify it later."
In response to a question, Hamidur Rahman said that denying the Liberation War would mean denying Bangladesh itself.
He said, "We have been doing politics in line with Bangladesh's legal and constitutional process. We have repeatedly said that the country's independence war is our achievement.
"Everyone is doing politics by recognising Bangladesh, and so are we. Therefore, there is no scope to go back to past debates. If one denies the Liberation War, it is effectively a denial of Bangladesh itself."
NCP reiterates demand for Constituent Assembly election
Akhter Hossen, member secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP), said the national charter must be named the "July Charter" in order to uphold the memory of those martyred and injured in July. He added that the charter must be implemented through a Constituent Assembly election.
He pointed out that in Bangladesh, constitutional amendments have already been challenged in the High Court and subsequently annulled. "Therefore, regarding the fundamental changes we are bringing into the constitution, we have called upon political parties to determine the method by which these can be made sustainable and effective."
The NCP member secretary said his party believes that through a Constituent Assembly election, with a newly written constitution containing revised clauses, sub-clauses, and articles, the agreed reforms and amendments can be implemented sustainably. "For this, political parties must reach a consensus," he said.
Expressing hope that political parties will be able to make a positive decision regarding the implementation of the July Charter, he added: "For this purpose, we appeal to the commission's chair, Dr Muhammad Yunus, to extend the commission's tenure so that the implementation process becomes unquestionable to all, and we can conclude the commission's work successfully."
Earlier on 11 September, the commission last met with political parties. Although discussions were held on implementing the July Charter, no final decision was reached.
The NCC has so far held three rounds of dialogue with political parties — from 20 March to 19 May, from 2 June to 30 July, and now the third round on the implementation of the charter.
