BNP opposes changing Constitution’s preamble, country’s name
NN Online:
BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday said the party does not support amending the Constitution’s preamble or incorporating the National Consensus Commission’s recommendation to equate the 2024 mass uprising with the 1971 Liberation War.
The party has voiced strong objections to several proposed reforms, including renaming the country and transferring authority over national identity cards (NID) and parliamentary constituency delimitation away from the Election Commission (EC).
Following a meeting with the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of the National Parliament Complex, BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed said replacing the republic with a citizen-based system was unjustified. He argued that democracy in Bangladesh had lost its character, necessitating constitutional amendments.
Salahuddin outlined BNP’s observations, objections, and recommendations on the proposed reforms after submitting the party’s official stance to the commission. He clarified that BNP did not see the need for a Constituent Assembly vote but agreed with most judicial recommendations.
Regarding administrative reforms, Salahuddin noted that BNP supported nearly half of the 26 proposals but had provided feedback and comments on the rest. He also rejected the proposal to rename the country from the “People’s Republic of Bangladesh” to “Janagantrantrik Bangladesh,” calling it unnecessary and questioning its benefits.
“The current name has been widely accepted through long-standing practice. Changing it serves no clear purpose, and BNP does not support such a move,” he said.
Salahuddin further said BNP opposed equating the 2024 mass uprising with the 1971 Liberation War, emphasising that the Constitution’s preamble should have been explicitly mentioned in the reform proposals.
“The proposed amendment effectively rewrites the preamble and places the 2024 uprising on the same level as the 1971 Liberation War, which BNP does not find appropriate. Alternative ways to acknowledge 2024, such as placing it in another section or the constitutional schedule, can be considered,” he added.
He reaffirmed BNP’s support for the preamble as it existed before the 15th Amendment. Additionally, Salahuddin criticized the proposal to make the EC accountable to a parliamentary committee, arguing that removing NID operations from EC control would create administrative difficulties.
“During the Awami League regime, NID operations were shifted to the home ministry. That law has not yet been repealed. It should be revoked so that the EC retains control over NID operations,” he said.
He also pointed out a legal inconsistency affecting the EC’s authority to determine electoral boundaries, stating that a minor printing error in the law had been reported to the law ministry but remained unaddressed. This, he warned, could create complications in organising elections.
On March 20, the National Consensus Commission began formal dialogues, has sought opinions from 37 political parties on 166 key recommendations covering constitutional, electoral, public administration, anti-corruption, and judicial reforms.
Discussions have been ongoing, with parties such as the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Khelafat Majlis, and the Labour Party already engaging in talks.