The opposition BNP on Monday announced a 27-point comprehensive outline proposing massive reforms in the Constitution, judicial and administrative levels if it returns to power.
The outline was made public through a press briefing held at Westin Hotel in Dhaka, where senior leaders and activists of the party were present.
BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman read out a summary of the outline after joining the ceremony virtually while Standing Committee Member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain read out the details.
The outline says that a “Constitutional Reform Commission” will be set up to repeal or revise all unreasonable, controversial and undemocratic constitutional amendments and changes made by the ruling Awami League government.
An inclusive “Rainbow Nation” will be established on the basis of Bangladeshi nationalism as opposed to the politics of vengeance and revenge, the outline reads.
The BNP plans to introduce an “electoral non-party caretaker government” system if voted to power.
The executive powers of the president, prime minister and cabinet will be balanced in a BNP government.
No one can serve as president or prime minister for more than two consecutive terms, the outline reads.
An “Upper Chamber Legislature” will be introduced in the National Assembly with the aim of governing the state with a combination of expert knowledge and an amendment to Article 70 of the Constitution will be examined to ensure freedom of expression of the members of parliament.
The rest of the outline is given below:
An “Upper Chamber Legislature” will be introduced in the National Assembly with the aim of governing the state with a combination of expert knowledge.
Amending Article 70 of the Constitution will be examined to ensure freedom of expression of the members of parliament.
The existing “The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Appointment Act, 2022” will be amended.
All state, constitutional and statutory institutions will be restructured.
Effective independence of the judiciary will be ensured. A “Judicial Commission” will be constituted to reform the present judicial system.
Administration will be restructured by constituting an “Administrative Reforms Commission”.
A “Media Commission” will be constituted for the overall reform of the media.
There will be no compromise in case of corruption. A white paper investigating money laundering and corruption will be published. An ombudsman will be appointed as per the constitution.
Rule of law will be established at all levels. Human rights will be implemented according to the Universal Human Rights Charter.
An “Economic Reforms Commission” will be constituted comprising experts.
Based on the principle of “Religion belongs to everyone, state belongs to everyone”, every religious person will enjoy the full right to practice his/her own religion.
Fair wages will be ensured for working people in light of inflation.
All black laws including the Indemnity Act in the power, energy and mineral sector will be repealed.
The national interest of Bangladesh will be given top priority in foreign relations. No terrorist activities will be tolerated within the territory of Bangladesh. Strict action will be taken against terrorism, militancy and extremism. The use of terrorism as political tool to suppress the dissents and opposition political parties by misusing the anti-terrorist law will be stopped. This will facilitate identify the real terrorists and ensure punishment under the process of law.
To protect the sovereignty of the country, the defense forces will be developed with the highest patriotism in mind.
Local government institutions will be made more independent, stronger and empowered with a view to promoting a greater decentralization of power.
A list of the martyrs of the liberation war will be prepared through the initiative of the state and they will be given due recognition.
A modern and age-appropriate youth development policy will be formulated, incorporating the vision, thoughts and aspirations of the youth. Unemployment allowance will be paid to the educated unemployed for a period of one year or till employment, whichever is earlier. An increase in the age limit for entry into government jobs will be considered as per international standards.
Specific programs will be taken to ensure women empowerment. As a matter of principle, preference will be given to women in nominations to the National Assembly.
Need and knowledge-based education will be given priority.
Based on the principle of “Health for All”, universal health care will be introduced on the model of the UK's “NHS”.
Fair price of agricultural produce will be ensured.
The main opposition BNP, with the next parliamentary election a year away, is ramping up its ongoing anti-government movement and electioneering.
As part of its movement, the party will hold a mass procession in Dhaka on December 30.
Eleven political parties belonging to the 20-party alliance announced to hold a joint mass procession in Dhaka on the same day expressing solidarity with the 10-point demand of the BNP, including the resignation of the government that was announced during the party's Dhaka rally on December 10. Similar mass processions in other parts of the country will be organized by the BNP on December 24.