Political parties must take steps on July Charter consensus to advance democratic process
Although a referendum was decided to implement the July Charter, political parties could not reach an agreement on when and how the referendum would be held.
Most political parties, including the BNP, have proposed holding the national election and referendum on the same day.
On the other hand, several parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, have demanded a referendum in November.
There was no consensus on this issue at the closing meeting of the National Consensus Commission at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital on Wednesday night.
Vice-Chairman of the commission Professor Ali Riaz said the government will be advised within a day or two after coordinating the opinions of political parties and experts.
The commission has announced that the formalities of signing the July Charter will be completed by October 15.
Meanwhile, questions have begun to arise about the necessity of the July Charter.
Senior Supreme Court lawyer Dr. Shahdeen Malik believes that the proposals being discussed in the National Consensus Commission to draft the July Charter in the name of state reform, it is pushing the country towards depoliticization.
However, BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said, “We hold the aspirations and expectations of the July Uprising. We will strive to fulfill it.
But many people want to match the Declaration of Independence with the July Declaration. Through this, the Declaration of Independence is belittled.”
In this case, it should be added to the pledge that those who gave the note of dissent will implement it in the same way if they come to power. Then a referendum will be held.
Those who come to power in the coming days will implement their election promises.
On October 5, during the National Consensus Commission dialogue, political parties agreed on the issue of a ‘referendum’ to implement the ‘July National Charter 2025’, but differences of opinion arose over the timing and process of the vote.
The commission, in addition to discussing with the parties, also took expert opinions.
Since the six-month commission could not complete its work by August 15, the term was extended to September 15.
Even after this, the term was extended by another month to October 15 in the second round.
It hopes to hold a signing ceremony for the historic document on October 15 or 17. It will be possible to publish the full report between the October 18 and 19.
We hope that political parties will take practical steps to further advance the country’s democratic process by combining the many views and paths of democratic politics.