Dhaka //

The BNP had proposed including a referendum requirement for amending two additional articles of the Constitution, including the provision for the Caretaker Government system. Salahuddin Ahmed, Chairman of the Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment and the Home Minister, disclosed this information.

He stated that the proposal to bring these specific articles under the purview of a referendum was made to ensure that future parliaments cannot amend these provisions.

Salahuddin Ahmed made these remarks to journalists yesterday, Sunday (September 27), following the third meeting of the Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment held at the National Parliament.

Editors of national dailies, representatives from various journalist forums, and prominent journalists participated in the meeting. Opinions and proposals regarding various aspects of the constitutional amendment were sought from them. The committee chairman noted that many participants indicated they would submit their proposals in writing.

Salahuddin Ahmed said, “Editors of national dailies, representatives of journalist forums, and prominent journalists took part in today’s exchange of views. They offered opinions and proposals covering everything from the Preamble to various articles and schedules of the Constitution. They have also been asked to submit written proposals. These opinions will be discussed within the committee and incorporated into the final report.”

Regarding the participation of the opposition party, he said, “We have repeatedly invited them, and we continue to do so. We will welcome them whenever they decide to join this committee. Their points will be discussed, and based on a consensus of all opinions, we will adopt those that are acceptable. It would have been better had they participated in the discussions; we could have then incorporated many of the issues raised by their party.”

The Home Minister added, “We want to have different viewpoints among us, but not division. We will implement the ‘July National Charter’ exactly as we signed it. We also wish to adopt—based on consensus—other issues that may not have come up in discussions or were previously left out.”

Regarding the priority between the ‘July National Charter’ and the BNP’s election manifesto, Salahuddin Ahmed stated, “The priority is the ‘July National Charter’.” However, we will uphold the issues we highlighted in our election manifesto—issues for which we received a mandate.

Regarding the referendum, he noted that the Constitution mandates a referendum for amending certain specific articles. The BNP had proposed bringing two additional articles—including the provision for the caretaker government system—under the purview of a referendum, ensuring that any future parliament seeking to alter these provisions would first need to obtain public approval.

The Home Minister stated, “Since we have reached a consensus on the caretaker government system, we will uphold it. We have agreed to include these two provisions alongside the existing four, ensuring that any future parliament wishing to amend or change them must hold a referendum. This was a proposal put forward by the BNP.”

Salahuddin Ahmed explained that once the constitutional amendment bill is passed in Parliament, a referendum will be held on the relevant articles before the President grants his assent.

Regarding the special committee’s report, he said, “We are making concerted efforts to present our report to Parliament by December. Based on this report, the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs will introduce a bill. I expect the bill to be tabled during the January session, which is the first session of the year.”

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