Constitutional amendments: JS body to hold discussions with political parties

The special parliamentary committee on constitutional amendment would sit with all political parties that signed the July National Charter, with the dates for the meetings likely to be finalised at its second meeting tomorrow.

It also plans to hold discussions with members of the judiciary, legal professionals, constitutional experts, intellectuals, newspaper editors, and other stakeholders.

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Committee members said the meeting will focus on their “modus operandi”, outlining how they intend to carry out one of the most significant constitutional amendments in recent years.

On April 29, the government proposed forming a 17-member special parliamentary committee, 12 from the ruling alliance and five reserved for the opposition.

As the Jamaat-led opposition did not submit names, the government went ahead and formed a 12-member body on July 13, which held its first meeting on August 4.

Three members of the committee -- Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni, Information Minister Andaleeve Rahman Partho, and Zainul Abdin-- confirmed yesterday that they would meet again tomorrow.

“We are considering sitting with all parties that signed the July charter,” one member told The Daily Star.

Asked, the chief whip said they had expected the opposition to submit its nominees during the third session of parliament, which ended on September 11.

“Since they did not, we will decide on Sunday how to actually begin our activities and with whom we will engage in discussions.

“We primarily wanted to talk to those who have representation in parliament. But we will sit together, discuss the matter, and then decide how to include others so that everyone can be accommodated.”

On October 17 last year, 24 political parties signed the July charter, which was initiated by the National Consensus Commission led by then chief adviser, Prof Muhammad Yunus. Gano Forum endorsed it shortly afterwards while National Citizen Party did so after the February 12 national polls, bringing the total number of signatories to 26.

Thirty parties took part in the consensus commission’s dialogue.

Other signatories include BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Khelafat Majlish, Rastro Songskar Andolon, Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), Nagorik Oikya, Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM), Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Ganosamhati Andolon, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP), Biplobi Workers Party, Jatiyatabadi Sammanna Jote, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Zaker Party, Jatiya Gonofront, Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party, Bangladesh Labour Party, Bhashani Jonoshokti Party, Jamiat Ulamaye Islam Bangladesh, and Islami Oikya Jote.

Special committee member Zainul said they would discuss the mode of operation and how they could carry out the amendment work.

Asked whether they would set a deadline for completing their recommendations, he said, “Since discussions with various stakeholders are required, the process will take some time.

“Constitutional amendment is different from drafting a constitution or reforming it; we must carefully examine the legal aspects and details before actually moving towards an amendment.”

Responding to a query, lawmaker Zainul said they repeatedly requested opposition’s participation in the committee. “We will continue to do so. We must wait because we want to give due importance to the opposition.”

However, Jamaat Ameer and Opposition Leader in the House Shafiqur Rahman and other top leaders on several occasions made it clear that they would not join the special committee.

The ruling and opposition parties remain sharply divided over constitutional amendments or reforms.

During the dialogue held by the consensus commission, the parties agreed on 84 sweeping reform proposals aimed at preventing authoritarianism and reshaping governance. Of these, 48 are related to constitutional matters. On several of the fundamental proposals, the BNP expressed dissent and issued notes of objection. The party supports constitutional amendment only in line with its own position.

Jamaat, NCP, and other opposition parties favoured implementing all the July charter proposals through a Constitutional Reform Council.

According to the July Charter Implementation Order, members of the 13th Parliament were expected to serve a dual role: both as lawmakers and as members of a Constitution Reform Council, which would be tasked with addressing 48 constitutional provisions within 180 working days. For this purpose, MPs were required to take two separate oaths, one as parliamentarians and another as council members.

MPs from the BNP-led alliance refused to take the oath as council members, while opposition lawmakers took both oaths.