Nagorik Oikya, led by Mahmudur Rahman Manna, has submitted a set of comprehensive constitutional reform proposals aimed at addressing systemic issues and promoting good governance in Bangladesh.
“The prime minister cannot hold any party position. They can remain a member of any level of the party. No member of the Cabinet can serve as president, general secretary, or secretary-general at any level of the party.”
Such recommendations for constitutional reforms have been proposed by Nagorik Oikya.
On Thursday, Nagorik Oikya will send separate seven-point reform and addition proposals to the Reform Commission via email.
The proposal, signed by the party’s organizational secretary Sakib Anwar, was shared with the media on the same day.
The proposal said: “Over the past 53 years, the Constitution has been amended 17 times. Most of these amendments served the interests of the ruling government and party to consolidate power. Such intentional amendments must be repealed.”
It further emphasized: “Amendments that validated repressive laws must be revoked. Future enactment of anti-people laws or provisions should be constitutionally prevented. Measures violating fundamental rights must also be barred.”
Key reform proposals include establishing a separation of powers and a logical balance between the Parliament, Executive, and Judiciary.
The balance of power between the President and Prime Minister should also be ensured.
Article 70 of the Constitution should be reformed to allow independent opinions on bills, except confidence votes and budget approvals, ensuring true representation of the people.
Constitutional powers allowing oppressive laws to be applied to the people must be abolished.
Additional proposals include ensuring the Judiciary's complete functional independence, and establishing a democratic and accountable state, government, and Constitution.
To ensure the financial accountability of the Executive, the Comptroller and Auditor General's appointment should be free from Prime Ministerial interference.
The revision of Article 66(2)(g) (restrictions on election participation) was also proposed, as the term "moral turpitude" is ambiguous and prone to misuse, often leading to the exclusion of opposition through false cases.
Re-establishment of a neutral caretaker government system during elections was also recommended.
In its proposals for additions, Nagorik Oikya highlighted the reintroduction of referendums, introduction of a recall system (to ensure elected representatives remain accountable to the people and maintain integrity and efficiency, knowing they can be removed by the public), gender equality and women’s rights, formation of a “Parliamentary Ethics Committee” (to address ethical issues and conflicts of interest), decentralization of local government systems, and reducing the ruling party’s influence over the government.
