We will establish a government of national consensus: Fakhrul

Highlights:

• Forming a national unity government
• Constitution reform commission
• National reconciliation commission
• Non-partisan election time caretaker government
• Bi-cameral legislature
• Restoration of the supreme judicial council system
• Administrative reform commission  
• Media commission
• Economic reform commission

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said if the BNP and its allies come to power through a participatory election after overthrowing the incumbent government, they will form a government of national consensus.

The BNP leader also said the political parties participating in the movement to overthrow the ruling government will take initiatives to implement a 31-point plan to repair the state within the first six months if they come into power.

"The plan we are forming is not only for us, it is for the whole country; the plan is for bringing qualitative change in the whole country," he said while reading out the plan at a press conference at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office on Thursday.

The 31-point outline of the BNP is aimed at bringing about major changes in the constitution, parliamentary system, and jurisdictions of the prime minister if it wins the election.

According to the outline, the BNP plans to ensure checks and balances between the executive powers of the president and prime minister, amend the election commission appointment act, and form a judicial commission as well as a media commission.

It also has plans to introduce a bi-cameral legislature inclusive of educationists, professionals, and political and social scientists.

Thus, a "constitution reform commission" will be formed to review and repeal all controversial and undemocratic amendments and changes, it mentioned, adding that the democratic rights of the people will be restored by reintroducing the Referendum System in the constitution.

The party also aims to ensure that all elections are conducted on the ballot paper, without the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs).

In addition, the ICT Act 2006 will be revised and Digital Security Act-2018 annulled, with a "Media Commission" formed for the overall reform of the media. 

Furthermore, an "economic reform commission' will be introduced to ensure good governance in the economic and financial sectors.

This 31-point outline has been finalised in the light of the opinions and suggestions of 37 parties aligned with the BNP's movement. 

State system

According to the outlines, Article 70 of the constitution will be amended, turning the legislature into a bicameral parliament that will have two separate houses instead of the existing single one.

The outline says the upper assembly will be reserved for intellectual and distinguished citizens of the state. The BNP and other opposition parties believe the changes can make the country's democratic systems sustainable.

It also plans to rationalise the jurisdictions of the president and the prime minister, and establish a constitutional court.

Currently, the president has almost no power to perform duties without the advice of the prime minister. 

The BNP plans for amendments to the clause, including a provision there so that the president can act upon consultations with the judiciary instead of the prime minister.

It also wants an amendment to Article 70 so that the prime minister can be made more accountable and parliament members can express their opinions freely.

BNP's disagreement with allies

Most opposition parties, including small ones, demand a proportional representation system where parliamentary seats are distributed according to the percentage of votes received by political parties so that minimum representation of all parties is ensured. 

The BNP, however, does not agree with the demand.

Besides, the issues of how many members will be in the upper house of the proposed bicameral parliament, and their selection process are yet to be decided through consensus. 

There are also different opinions regarding the duration of the interim government.

BNP leader Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal said, "We don't believe in the proportional electoral system. Ziaur Rahman's multi-party democracy has reflected the representation of all parties in parliament."

"I also believe that the remaining unresolved issues can be finalised soon with discussion and coordination," he told The Business Standard.

Hasnat Qayyum, chief coordinator of the state reform movement, said, "We want to have 300 members in the upper house of parliament through the proportional representation system, but the BNP wants 100 members through the existing system, which applies to picking reserved women MPs."

Ganosamhati Andolon leader Junaid Saki said, "We have demanded a proportional electoral system for both houses of parliament. The BNP does not want that. We, however, are firm in our demands, at least for the proposed upper house."

Many allies want two years for the proposed interim government, while the BNP demands a shorter time, he added.

Talking to TBS, leaders from the BNP and its allies said if all could come to a consensus, the new phase of the simultaneous anti-government movement could have been started two months ago. 

Most issues, except for two or three, are now resolved, they said. They hoped that the movement would reach a fulfilment soon.