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Published : 06 May 2025, 09:33 PM
The National Citizens Party (NCP) has proposed that the Election Commission should be made accountable to a Supreme Judicial Council rather than the government or parliament.
In its reform plans submitted to the National Consensus Commission, the new entrant suggested that any allegations against an election commissioner or the chief election commissioner be investigated and, if necessary, lead to removal through a Supreme Judicial Council.
NCP’s Secretary, Akhtar Hossain, handed over the reform proposals to the Vice-Chairman of the Commission, Ali Riaz, at the LD Hall of the parliament complex on Tuesday.
Speaking to journalists, NCP Joint Convenor Sarwar Tushar said, “The Election Commission must be held accountable. Since objections have been raised about parliamentary committees, we have proposed to do it through a Supreme Judicial Council. It will have the authority to investigate any allegations against the Commission.”
Earlier, the interim government’s Election System Reform Commission had suggested that parliamentary standing committees should be allowed to investigate allegations against the Commission after the end of its term.
However, the Election Commission, the BNP, and several other parties expressed concerns, arguing that such provisions could expose the constitutional organisation to political retaliation during transitions of power.
Referring to that, the NCP put forward a new proposal emphasising the need for accountability for the Election Commission.
The NCP also supported the idea of opposition party members chairing parliamentary standing committees. They advocated for opposition leadership in committees related to public accounts, public administration, planning, and home affairs.
Sarwar said they have also discussed referendums, proposing that any constitutional amendment must be passed by a two-thirds majority in both upper and lower houses and then put to a referendum.
For routine amendments, two-thirds will suffice, but critical issues such as the power structure or the constitution must be decided with a public vote.
The NCP also proposed a constitutional provision where the senior-most judge of the Appellate Division would automatically become the Chief Justice.
Regarding the presidential election, the NCP favours the electoral college system. Sarwar said, “Along with MPs from both sides, the election council will elect the president through district councils. We’ve recommended adding more local representatives to the process.”
The party also called for the reservation of a minimum of 100 parliamentary seats for women, to be filled through direct elections. “100 women will go to parliament. We support this,” said Tushar. “We also propose that 25 percent of candidates at the upper house will be women.”
However, the NCP opposed the idea of establishing provincial governments in Bangladesh, considering it risky at this stage.
“It’s not necessary right now. We can strengthen local government instead,” said Sarwar. They did, however, support the Reform Commission’s proposal to create two new divisions: Faridpur and Cumilla.
The Commission recommended granting judicial powers to District Magistrates, a suggestion the NCP opposed. “We believe judicial authority should remain with the judiciary,” Sarwar said.
The NCP also rejected the proposal to abolish District Councils and opposed eliminating the post of Upazila Vice Chairman.
The Reform Commission had recommended electing Union Council Chairmen through votes cast by council members.
Sarwar voiced the NCP’s disagreement, saying: “Chairmen should be directly elected by the people. Also, local elections should be free of party symbols. This practice has led to deep-rooted violence in our society. We must free the country from the Awami League’s autocratic practices.”
The NCP is for the Commission’s proposal for independent land courts. Sarwar said, “We will have detailed discussions with the Commission on the framework.”
Secretary Akhtar and Joint Convenors Sarwar, Javed Rasin, and North Zone Chief Organiser Sarjis Alam led the NCP delegation to parliament.
POLITICAL DISUNITY CAUSING REFORM 'UNCERTAINTY'
The NCP believes disagreements among political parties on key issues are pushing the state reform process into “uncertainty”.
Speaking after submitting their proposals, the party’s General Secretary Akhtar said differing views among parties on the scope and timeframe of reforms were "disrupting" progress.
“In this situation, the National Citizen Party has submitted a framework for fundamental reforms to the Consensus Commission,” he added. “We believe that in order to safeguard the state from authoritarian structures, these foundational reforms must be implemented.”
Akhtar said the NCP has stressed the importance of reaching consensus on core reforms and practical steps for their implementation ahead of the next general election.
He added that the party does not support leaving the reform agenda “trapped in abstract theories or unworkable plans”.
“Rather, we have presented a set of practical proposals focused on rebalancing state power, ensuring accountability, and decentralising authority to structurally reshape the state,” he said.
