Political parties are expected to submit their recommendations to the Constitutional Reform Commission today, in response to the commission’s earlier request for written proposals on constitutional reforms before then.

The BNP plans to propose, among other suggestions, a bicameral parliament, a limit on the number of prime ministers serving more than two consecutive terms and a system of checks and balances between the president and prime minister.

The National Citizens’ Committee intends to propose proportional representation for 100 seats, a four-year legislature and the drafting of a new constitution, according to party members.

With the exception of Jamaat, almost all parties, including the BNP and the National Citizens’ Committee, support the idea of ​​a bicameral parliament.

While the BNP opposes proportional representation, Jamaat, smaller parties and left-wing groups favor elections based on proportional representation.

In addition, most parties agree on reducing the powers of the prime minister to ensure a better balance between the roles of the president and prime minister.

An adviser to the caretaker government, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told TBS: “After consulting all parties and stakeholders, the Constitution Reform Commission will provide a draft to the parties. They will then make further amendments and resubmit their proposals. finalized, the government plans to organize a “referendum” on the draft constitution.”

What BNP offers

Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, a member of the BNP standing committee, said: “We are yet to work out the exact balance of power between the President and the Prime Minister, but our proposal will include a system of checks and balances for both key positions.

He added: “No one will be allowed to serve as Prime Minister for more than two consecutive terms. This will prevent anyone from becoming a monstrous fascist like Sheikh Hasina. However, he will be able to return after missing one term.”

Regarding the bicameral parliament, Khasru said, “The upper house of parliament will be formed. We have not yet decided whether it will have 100, 200 or 300 members, but each party will nominate deputies according to their seats in the lower house. “.

He added: “The most talented and innovative individuals in their field will be MPs in the upper house. They will define state policies and their intellectual discussions will influence the decisions of the lower house. »

The BNP is finalizing its proposed constitutional and other key reforms based on its 31-point reform agenda. He plans to propose declaring equality, human dignity and justice as fundamental principles of the Constitution.

The party has essentially finalized its proposed reforms to the constitution, the electoral commission and the police service.

Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, a member of the BNP standing committee, told TBS: “We have not yet finalized any aspect of the constitutional reform. The government’s Constitutional Reform Commission will bring together proposals from all parties and create a draft. Once we receive this project, we will review it. and send them our final proposals.”

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior leaders said they disagreed with the proportional representation proposals of the Jamaat and smaller parties.

BNP leaders argue that the proportional representation system is not practical for Bangladesh. They believe that no party is likely to gain a majority, which could lead to a hung Parliament most of the time.

What the Jamaat is looking for

Jamaat’s proposal will include the introduction of proportional representation, an electoral system in which parties obtain seats in proportion to the number of votes cast for them.

The party will seek to establish a caretaker government system as a permanent part of the constitution and abolish rules for registering political parties.

Additionally, Jamaat will propose appointing a vice president from the main opposition party, creating a shadow cabinet headed by the parliamentary opposition leader, and ensuring that local elections are non-partisan.

He will also propose organizing national legislative elections over several days, according to sources within the party.

Jamaat deputy general secretary Maulana Abdul Halim told TBS: “We will propose several changes, including proportional representation and reducing the powers of the president and prime minister.

“We support a proportional electoral system to prevent the influence of muscle power and dark money in elections and to create a more inclusive parliament. In this system, each voter’s vote impacts and contributes to parliament.”

Regarding the balance of power between the president and the prime minister, Abdul Halim said: “We want to reduce the powers of the prime minister, but we also cannot give too much power to the president, as this could make Parliament ineffective . be reduced while keeping Parliament fully functional.

Abdul Halim also noted that Jamaat’s proposal does not include the BNP’s idea of ​​a bicameral parliament.

Proposals from other organizations

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens Committee will also submit their proposals to the Constitutional Reform Commission, which, headed by Professor Ali Riaz, has already started consultations with eminent citizens and other stakeholders.

Sarwar Tushar, a member of the National Citizens Committee, told TBS: “We want a new constitution. The parliament will be called “Legislative Assembly”. Proportional representation will be used for 100 seats in the upper house, which will be called the National Assembly and headed by the president.

“The lower house will have 200 seats, directly elected by voters and headed by the Prime Minister. The legislature will be 4 years, with mid-term elections for 50 to 60 seats after 2 years to test the popularity of the government, even if the government will not change.

Sarwar Tushar also said, “We will propose to declare the event of April 17, 1971 as the birth of the first republic and 2024 as the second republic in the constitution. »

He added: “In the future, constitutional changes should be made by direct referendum, not by the vote of MPs. We will also propose that any bill, after being discussed in both houses of parliament, be adopted with the approval of the President.”

Saiful Haque, general secretary of the Bangladesh Workers’ Revolutionary Party, told TBS: “We support proportional representation and a bicameral parliament. We will propose removing the provision that allows a bill to pass even if the president does not sign it within 15 days.

“We want the president to have the power to send any bill back to Parliament for discussion and further consideration if he does not agree with it.”

Zonayed Saki, the chief coordinator of the Ganosanhati Andolan (Mass Solidarity Movement), said: “We support proportional representation and a bicameral parliament. However, we want the upper house to have 300 deputies, all directly elected by the people, and not appointed like the current women parliamentarians.

“Each party will present a panel before the elections, and based on the votes received by each party, it will be allocated seats in the upper house.”

He also noted that except BNP, almost all parties, including Islami Andolan Bangladesh (led by Charmonai Pir), Gono Odhikar Parishad, Nagarik Oikya and Amar Bangladesh Party, support proportional representation.

Almost all parties except Jamaat favor a bicameral parliament. However, Jamaat has said it is open to the idea of ​​a bicameral system if all parties agree, and there is no rigid position within the party on the issue, Zonayed Saki added.