Mohammad Al Amin: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will soon place a state reform formula that contains provisions of quality change of state ruling system and massive amendments to the constitution.
“A state reform formula will be placed before the public soon. Before making it public, the formula will also be placed before the standing committee for taking its opinion,” BNP standing committee member Jamiruddin Sircar told the Daily Sun.
Asked about the proposal, BNP Vice-chairman Mohammad Shahjahan said it is being made on the basis of party chairperson Khaleda Zia’s ‘Vision 2030’.
Mentioning that BNP has made a draft proposal titled ‘‘Declaration of State Transformative Reforms’ to bring quality change in the state ruling system through a reformation, BNP media cell convener Jahiruddin Swapan said they are now holding seminars in divisional headquarters to take opinions from civil society members.
“We held the first seminar on the Declaration of State Transformative Reforms in Sylhet on September 11 to take public opinions and will hold the next one in Rangpur on September 17. After holding seminars in divisional cities, we will go to districts,” he said.
He also said they would make it public by October after finalising the proposal.
Swapan further said the draft proposal has been made in combination of the party’s ‘Vision 2030’ declared by its chairperson Khaleda Zia in 2017 and specific state reformation roadmap declared by party acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
The reform proposal said a welfare national consensus government will be established comprising of political parties who will participate in the movement to oust the current Awami League-led government.
“The national government will take the transformative reforms for the country. All controversial and undemocratic amendment and change of constitution will be either amended or removed through amendment to the Constitution by forming Constitution Reform Commission,” it said.
The 19-point draft proposal also include that an inclusive and harmonious ‘Rainbow Nation’ without indiscrimination will be established in the country in combination of all views and paths.
“To this end, National Reconciliation Commission will be formed,” it added.
The proposal further said an election-time non-partisan caretaker government system will also be introduced to give permanent and institutional shape of democratic process and to ‘restore’ democracy and voting rights of the country.
“Article 70 of the constitution also will be amended.”
“Balance will be brought to the executive power of the President and the Prime Minister. Well coordination will be brought to responsibilities and duties of state executive branch, legislation and judiciary to ensure checks and balances of the state power,” the proposal added.
It further said at the same time Bi-cameral Legislation will be introduced comprising with educationist, professional, political scientist, social scientist and person with administrative experience, to run the state.
The state reform proposal also said the Election Commission Appointment Act will be amended while voting in traditional ballot paper will be ensured, instead of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). The RPO Delimitation Order and political party registration act also will be amended.
“Party’s electoral symbol will be cancelled in local government elections,” it added.
About bringing reformation in the judiciary, it said the Judicial Commission will be formed for judicial reformation and Supreme Judicial Council also will be restored. “Judges Recruitment Act will be made.” BNP’s proposal further said the administration will be reformed through forming ‘Administrative Reform Commission’.
Media Commission also will be formed to ensure proper journalist in the country, it added.
It said the post and office of the Ombudsman would be activated to ensure administrative transparency and accountability. BNP sources said the party also will discuss the proposal with other opposition parties to reach a consensus ahead of the next national election as already it has held talks with at least 18 political parties.
After holding talks with all the opposition political parties, the BNP will hold a press conference and will make their proposal public.
At the same time, they have also planned to go for simultaneous movement to realise their demand for holding the next parliament election under a non-party election-time government.
“We will take opinions of civil society members and the opposition parties and then we will finalise and disclose the state reform proposal as soon as possible,” a senior leader said.
In March 2016, Khaleda Zia unveiled her ‘Vision 2030’ plan, with pledges to take necessary measures to ensure checks and balances on the power of the executive branch and introduce bicameral parliament.
In the ‘Vision 2030’, she projected a series of imagination, hopes and dreams to show the people that BNP wants to practice positive politics and bring positive changes in their activities and attitude.
The BNP chief said they want to combine ‘3Gs’— good policy, good governance and good government.
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