Key points of BNP's Vision 2030
Several 'undemocratic' articles were incorporated into the constitution, she said, including holding parliamentary elections while keeping a current parliament alive, the impeachment of judges in parliament, and barring changes to parts of the constitution. “BNP will review these articles and bring necessary reforms to the constitution,” she said.
Also Read- Watch: Khaleda Zia’s Vision 2030
Khaleda announced that her party would restore the provision of referendum in the constitution. She said her party would implement the constitutional provision of an Ombudsman in order to ensure administrative accountability and transparency. She also promised to limit the prime minister’s executive powers through a constitutional amendment if her party returns to power.Khaleda announced that her party would restore the provision of referendum in the constitution. She said her party would implement the constitutional provision of an Ombudsman in order to ensure administrative accountability and transparency. She also promised to limit the prime minister’s executive powers through a constitutional amendment if her party returns to power.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia presents her party's 256-point 'Vision 2030' at a Dhaka hotel on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 Photo:Rajib Dhar/Dhaka Tribune
Mentioning that the existing constitutional order vests all the executive powers of the republic unilaterally in the hands of the prime minister, she said this system is completely inconsistent with the recognised form of parliamentary system. “Experiences in the recent times have made the country’s people realise that the monolithic executive authority of the prime minister has created an authoritarian dictatorship with a parliamentary facade. In order to bring an end to this situation, the executive power of the republic shall be balanced through appropriate constitutional amendment,” she said. BNP will also repeal the Special Powers Act 1974 which gives the government broad powers of detainment and the notorious Section 57 of the IT Act which creates scope for persecution against content published online. Vision 2030 also promises to amend Electricity and Energy Rapid Supply Increase Act 2010 after due examination. A national energy policy will also be formulated. Her party will constitute a commission led by a retired justice to recommend a universally acceptable policy for print, electronic and online media. BNP also promised to ensure fair justice and rule of law for the peoples through effective independence and neutrality of the judiciary. The lower courts will be freed from the control of the executives and a separate secretariat under the Supreme court will be control them. She also promised that a jury system will be re-introduced to the lower judiciary on a pilot basis consisting of non-controversial, respectable, ethically correct and ideal persons to make the judicial process transparent, speedy, and acceptable. “BNP shall remove all obstacles blocking free speech and freedom of thought of the people,” she said, adding that undemocratic sections of the ICT Act and the Cyber Security Act would be removed. As part of the reforms of the constitutional arrangement, she said, it will be examined whether an upper house of the National Parliament can be established keeping the existing unitary character and structure of the constitution intact.
