Samamona Jote warns long rule by unelected government creates ‘problems’

"We have to come to one place. This does not mean that we can agree on everything," Ali Riaz says

Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote coordinator and NPP (National People's Party) Chairman Fariduzzaman Farhad has warned that an unelected government remaining in power for an extended period could lead to serious challenges for the country.

Speaking at the launch of a dialogue with the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of the National Parliament building on Saturday, he emphasised free and fair elections.

“We are committed to ensuring people’s voting rights and establishing a government elected by the people,” he said.

“What we expect from him [Muhammad Yunus] is to arrange an election so transparent that people can say: after 15 long years, we finally had a vote free from force or vote-buying—where I exercised my right and helped form a government.”

“It is also true,” he added that, “if an unelected government stays in power too long, it creates many problems.”

The Consensus Commission is working to finalise the unified recommendations from the state reform panels and foster political consensus. It has gathered input from 39 political parties on key proposals across five reform reports and is holding follow-up discussions.

Farhad noted that Samamona Jote agreed with 112 out of the commission’s 166 proposals, disagreed with 26, and partially agreed with 28.

“We fully support all proposals regarding the Anti-Corruption Commission,” he said. “We are committed to doing whatever it takes to establish democracy.”

Commission Vice-Chairman Ali Riaz, speaking at the start of the discussion, said the body has until July 15 to draft a national charter following consultations with all parties.

“We’ve received support from all political parties in this effort,” Riaz said. “We aim to create a national charter within six months.

“It’s natural for political parties to have differences, but we must come together. That doesn’t mean we will agree on everything—but we can agree on what’s needed to build the state and establish a democratic, accountable system. That’s the goal of the Consensus Commission.”