Consensus Commission to begin talks with parties soon

Abu Jakir :

Seeking to build consensus on sweeping governance reforms, Bangladesh’s National Consensus Commission is set to begin individual discussions with political parties in the coming days, officials said.

The commission, formed under the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has already reached out to political parties, soliciting their opinions on a series of major reform proposals that could reshape the country’s political landscape.

A detailed spreadsheet outlining the proposals has been sent to 32 political parties and alliances, with a request for feedback by March 13. The responses will inform deliberations on legislative and constitutional changes aimed at restructuring governance in Bangladesh.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus stated that following discussions on the recommendations, political parties will sign a formal agreement known as the July Charter.

“The interim government will implement parts of the recommendations, while the remaining reforms will be carried out by the next elected administration,” Yunus said. He also hoped that the next general elections will take place either in December of this year or by June of next year.

Reform Proposals and Consultation Process

According to officials, the spreadsheet outlines key recommendations from six reform commissions, which were established in October to examine critical areas of governance, including constitutional amendments, electoral processes, public administration, law enforcement, anti-corruption measures, and judicial reforms. These commissions submitted their reports in February, prompting the government to launch formal consultations with political stakeholders.

A letter accompanying the spreadsheet, signed by Professor Ali Riaz, Vice President of the National Consensus Commission, provides parties with a structured format to express their views. Each recommendation requires parties to indicate whether they “Agree,” “Disagree,” or “Partially Agree.”

Additionally, parties must specify their preferred timeline and method of implementation, choosing from six possible options, which include pre-election ordinances, referendums, a Constituent Assembly, or post-election constitutional amendments.

“The commission aims to build a broad-based political agreement before moving forward with reforms,” said Monir Haider, Special Assistant (Consensus) to the Chief Adviser. “By Thursday morning, all parties had received the spreadsheet, and we have urged them to submit their responses by the deadline.”

Key Reform Proposals

Among the major reforms under consideration are term limits for the prime minister, restructuring parliamentary representation, and electoral process changes. Specific proposals include: Capping the prime minister’s tenure at two terms; Barring a twice-elected prime minister from running for president; Preventing any individual from simultaneously serving as party chief, prime minister, and parliamentary leader; Establishing a 100-seat upper chamber in Parliament, with seats allocated through a proportional representation system; Creating a directly elected lower house with 400 seats, including 100 reserved for women; Strengthening the independence and accountability of the Election Commission; Amending election laws to bar individuals accused of crimes against humanity from contesting elections.

Political Reactions and Next Steps

The initiative comes in the wake of last year’s dramatic political upheaval, which saw the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5 following massive student-led protests.

In the aftermath, an interim government took office under Professor Yunus on August 8, pledging to usher in systemic reforms.

The National Consensus Commission, comprising the heads of the six reform commissions, has since been tasked with shaping these proposals into actionable policies.

Key opposition parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, have acknowledged receipt of the commission’s request.

A BNP spokesperson said that the party would deliberate internally before submitting its stance. Similarly, Jamaat-e-Islami’s central publicity secretary, Motiur Rahman Akand, confirmed that his party would review the proposals before responding.

The commission has stated that reforms backed by a broad political consensus will be compiled into the July Charter, a framework intended to serve as the foundation for long-term governance changes.

As the March 13 deadline approaches, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Bangladesh’s deeply divided political factions can find a common ground-or whether ideological rifts will stall progress on what the interim government views as a historic opportunity for democratic renewal.