Staff Reporter :
The National Citizen Party (NCP) has outlined a two-pronged approach to implementing crucial reforms: issuing ordinances before elections and forming a constituent assembly-elected legislature to enact long-term changes.
At a press conference held at the party’s temporary office in Dhaka’s Banglamotor, NCP Joint Convener Sarwar Tushar emphasized the party’s commitment to election-related reforms, including a significant proposal to lower the voting age from 18 to 16.
“We do not want such a large portion of the mass uprising to be deprived of voting rights just because of their age. This rule exists in various countries, including Latin America and Austria,” Tushar said.
Additionally, the NCP is advocating for reducing the minimum age for national election candidates from the current 25 to 23, although some internal recommendations had suggested lowering it to 21.
Tushar noted that the party received a reform proposal spreadsheet on March 5 and was asked to submit its input by March 13. However, due to the party’s recent formation, it was unable to meet the deadline despite its best efforts.
He explained that the party consulted experts in law, the judiciary, and parliament, as well as the families of martyrs and those injured in past political conflicts, when drafting its reform proposals.
“Many have expressed concerns that their children should not be shot by police if they protest on the streets. We have tried to translate such aspirations into concrete reforms,” he added.
Regarding reform implementation, Tushar reiterated the party’s reliance on two primary methods: pre-election ordinances and the establishment of a constituent assembly or a specially elected legislature tasked with constitutional reform.
“Reforms that do not require constitutional amendments can be enacted through ordinances or administrative measures before elections. However, we have reservations about some aspects of this approach,” he stated.
He further pointed out that the National Consensus Commission had indicated that 111 out of 166 proposed reforms could be implemented without extensive discussions.
“However, we believe that some of those recommendations require greater scrutiny and debate,” Tushar said.
The NCP continues to push for a new democratic constitution. “The best way to achieve this is through a constituent assembly election,” he asserted.
“But we have also suggested that even if a constituent assembly is not formed, a parliament elected with the mandate to function as a constituent assembly should be established, ensuring its obligation to formulate a new constitution,” he added.
Tushar announced that the party would submit its preliminary proposals to the National Consensus Commission at the National Parliament at 2 p.m. today (March 23).
“Our question to the commission will be why reports from the police and local reform commissions were not included in the spreadsheet,” he said, adding that discussions with the commission might take place after Eid.
