Discussion needed to settle key reform proposals, says Consensus Commission’s Ali Riaz

Ali Riaz, vice-chair of the National Consensus Commission, has said that several key recommendations made by the Constitutional Reform Commission require more discussion to reach an agreement.

He pointed out that several significant issues in the proposals remained unresolved, including the framework for decentralising the judiciary, the appointment of the chief advisor to the caretaker government, the tenure of such a government, the formation of a National Constitutional Council (NCC), term limits for prime ministers, restrictions on MPs holding multiple roles, the process for electing the president, and the procedure for amending the constitution.

Noting areas of agreement, Riaz noted that most parties agreed not to include the term “secularism” in the list of core state principles proposed for the constitution, which includes equality, human dignity, social justice, and democracy.

He also said most political parties are supportive of adopting a two-house system for the parliament. There is general agreement on reserving 100 seats in the lower house for women, although differences remain on how this would be implemented.

Riaz said all parties agree in principle on establishing a Supreme Court Secretariat and enacting necessary laws to ensure the judiciary is separate from the executive.

The proposal to bar individuals accused of crimes against humanity from contesting parliamentary elections received mixed responses from political parties, though most emphasised the need for legal consideration of the issue.

Proposals that failed to gain consensus include dividing the country into four states, abolishing the existing district council system, electing municipal chairmen through votes by ward councillors, and eliminating the post of Upazila Parishad vice-chairman.

Riaz highlighted that implementation of the recommendations is ultimately the government’s responsibility, while political parties must determine the process.

Six reform commissions were formed after the political transition last October, which submitted their reports in February. The Consensus Commission began work on Feb 15 to build consensus on the recommendations.

The second round of talks to reach a national consensus on constitutional reforms is expected to begin in late May or early June.

Riaz said, “We hope the second phase of discussions with political parties will lead to the creation of a National Charter.”