No decision has yet been taken on the process or composition of the caretaker government, Home Minister and chairman of the Special Committee on Constitutional Amendments Salahuddin Ahmed said on Tuesday.
He made the remarks at a press conference at the National Parliament Media Centre after the committee’s fourth meeting.
“An open discussion is needed on the caretaker government system, its process and the form of its formation. We need proposals. Parliament will consider what is deemed appropriate and we will accept it,” Salahuddin Ahmed said.
“We have not yet been able to decide what process to follow or who will be included in forming the caretaker government,” he added.
Media representatives consulted
The committee sought the views of media professionals involved in electronic media, television channels, online portals, news management and television talk shows, Salahuddin said.
He said the committee had held discussions with editors, senior journalists and representatives of journalists’ organizations on Sunday and continued the consultations over two days as a single day was not sufficient to hear everyone’s views.
He urged participants who had made proposals or recommendations to submit them in writing. Some have already done so, while others are expected to submit theirs, he said.
“Today’s meeting involved many important discussions, and we received many valuable opinions. Some of them are significant and can be considered. We will discuss them at the committee meeting,” he said.
The written submissions will be reviewed together once they are received, he said, adding that the committee would gradually consult all groups and individuals it plans to engage.
Consultations on July uprising
Salahuddin said the committee would consult people from different professions and walks of life, prominent citizens, constitutional experts, lawyers, serving and former judges, academics, and various social forces, organizations and individuals associated with the July uprising.
The committee will also meet people and their families who, according to him, suffered deprivation over the past 17 years, as well as families of those killed in the July uprising.
He said the committee would seek to understand the views and recommendations of people from different professions and their representatives before consulting prominent constitutional experts and preparing a report.
Asked about a meeting with the National Consensus Commission, Salahuddin said the committee would also consult those who contributed to the drafting of the July National Charter.
Views sought on bicameral parliament
The meeting also heard proposals on whether Bangladesh needs a bicameral parliament, Salahuddin said.
“One proposal was whether Bangladesh needs a bicameral parliament at all. Since this is a unitary state and has a unitary government, they said the matter could be considered,” he said.
He said the committee intended to proceed on the basis of the agreement to establish a bicameral parliament in the July National Charter.
“Since we agreed in the July National Charter that we will form a bicameral parliament, we want to proceed on that basis. But they have made a proposal. If that proposal is considered by Parliament, and if the ruling party considers it, then it can be discussed,” he said.
The meeting also discussed the decentralization of the judiciary, judicial independence and the caretaker government system, he said.
Committee seeks more proposals on caretaker govt
Salahuddin said the committee wanted detailed proposals on the caretaker government system and the process for forming it.
“An open discussion is needed on the caretaker government system, its process and the form of its formation. We need proposals,” he said.
He said the July National Charter contained some proposals on the issue, with notes of dissent in some areas. The committee wanted views on which of the first, second, third or fourth steps should be followed in forming the caretaker government, he said.
“Alternative proposals are needed on this issue. We need everyone’s opinions. Parliament will consider the proposal that we deem appropriate for the nation, and we will accept it,” he said.
Differences over 10-year PM term
The committee also received differing views on the proposal to limit an individual’s tenure as prime minister to a maximum of 10 years, Salahuddin said.
Some participants argued that setting a 10-year limit would be undemocratic and contrary to democratic rights. Others said that if a prime minister performs well and the people want them to serve again, they should be able to do so, he said.
Salahuddin, however, said his party’s position remained unchanged.
“We proposed this during the drafting of the July National Charter on behalf of our party. Our honourable chairman had not become prime minister at that time; he made the proposal. We made it in accordance with the decision of the Standing Board. We then mentioned it again in our election manifesto,” he said.
“We have not moved from our position. If the opposition makes any proposal in Parliament, that can be discussed then,” he added.
Urges opposition to join talks
The committee also discussed engaging with the opposition, Salahuddin said.
“We discuss with the opposition. Our discussions are open. Through you, I urge them to nominate their representatives to the Constitutional Amendment Committee, join it and participate in the discussions,” he said.
He also urged those who had submitted proposals to participate in the discussions.
The committee aims to bring about constitutional amendments through a participatory and inclusive process after consulting all stakeholders, he said.
Scope for new reform commissions
Asked about several of the 11 reform commission reports not being discussed by the National Consensus Commission, Salahuddin said the government was committed to implementing the July National Charter as it had been formulated.
He said the July National Charter was based on the reports of six reform commissions: the Constitutional Reform Commission, Electoral Reform Commission, Judicial Reform Commission, Administrative Reform Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission and Police Reform Commission.
Almost all political parties had held discussions with these reform commissions, after which their reports were used to seek further views and the National Consensus Commission was formed, he said.
The reports of the remaining reform commissions were not brought into that process, he said, adding that the government could form new, subject-specific reform commissions to seek public recommendations if necessary.
“The government can form reform commissions on various issues and seek reports. For example, if we now think of forming a Media Reform Commission, the government can do so at any time. If its recommendations are implementable, they can be implemented,” he said.
Committee to prepare report based on submissions
Salahuddin said the committee would consult constitutional experts after gathering views from people from different professions and walks of life.
“We will then prepare the report based on their advice. After that, we will present the report to Parliament, on the basis of which a bill will have to be placed before the National Parliament. There will then be further discussion in Parliament and outside it,” he said.
He expressed hope that the process would lead to an acceptable set of constitutional amendments.
Committee members and Chief Whip of Parliament Nurul Islam Moni; Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Home Affairs Zainul Abedin; State Minister for Planning Md Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki; State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare Md Nurul Haque; State Minister for Land Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin; State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin; and committee member Md Mahmudul Hoque Rubel attended the meeting.
Representatives of various electronic, television and online media outlets, as well as participants in television talk shows, were also present.
