NN Online Report:
The Jatiya Party (JaPa) has called on Bangladesh’s interim government to conduct national elections within a reasonable timeframe, emphasizing the need for crucial constitutional reforms to ensure transparency and accountability.
During a press conference held at the JaPa chairman’s office in Banani on Friday, JaPa Secretary General Md Mujibul Haque Chunnu outlined the party’s demands, expressing full support for the interim government. He highlighted the necessity of amending Article 70 of the constitution and increasing the powers of parliamentary standing committees to strengthen democratic processes, reports media.
Chunnu also stressed the importance of investigating corruption over the past 15 years, particularly involving ministers, members of parliament, bureaucrats, and police officials. “Those found guilty of corruption must be brought to justice, and efforts should be made to recover money laundered abroad through legal means,” he asserted.
The JaPa leader underscored the urgency of restoring law and order across the country. He called for the acceptance of reasonable demands from the police force and compensation for the families of leaders who were martyred during recent political movements. He also advocated for legal action against individuals responsible for looting police stations and killing law enforcement officers.
Addressing the country’s economic challenges, Chunnu emphasized the need to boost remittance flows, prioritize export trade, attract foreign investment, and support freelancers. He also urged the prompt reopening of educational institutions, resolving inconsistencies in textbooks, and reforming the election process to adopt a proportional representation system.
Chunnu highlighted the need for reforms in key constitutional institutions, including the Election Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission, and Public Service Commission, to eliminate external influence and ensure their independence.
“A law should be enacted to fully separate the judiciary and establish a clear process for appointing judges to the High Court,” Chunnu added. He also called for a rebalancing of power between the president and parliament by reducing the prime minister’s authority in the current parliamentary system.
Furthermore, Chunnu proposed that a citizen should not be eligible to serve as prime minister more than twice. He suggested that if a person is elected as prime minister again, they should not simultaneously hold the position of the leader of the parliament.
JaPa’s demands reflect the party’s commitment to democratic reforms and its determination to hold the government accountable as Bangladesh navigates this critical transitional period.
