After months of challenges, the National Consensus Commission (NCC) has made significant progress in its deliberations, reaching consensus on 16 key areas as of 7:30pm on Thursday. Despite some parties expressing dissent, they did not oppose the agreements. Through extensive meetings with 32 political parties and alliances from March 20 to May 19, followed by discussions with 30 political parties from June 2 to July 31, the NCC has achieved noteworthy outcomes. These results have the potential to reshape our political landscape if the parties remain committed.
A crucial breakthrough is the agreement on establishing the upper house in parliament based on proportional votes received by parties during the lower house elections. This move is expected to enhance parliamentary operations and political discourse, fostering more substantive debates and analysis while moving away from blind loyalty and empty rhetoric.
Another significant consensus pertains to limiting an individual’s term as prime minister to 10 years, showcasing genuine negotiation and compromise among political entities. This agreement marks a departure from the usual political practices, particularly impacting the future of party leaders. Despite the BNP’s partial disagreement, their mature concession deserves acknowledgment.
Moreover, the consensus on reforming the presidential election process marks a milestone achievement. The transition from arbitrary selection by the prime minister to a more transparent and morally sound election process for the head of state is crucial for institutionalizing governance practices.
Additional areas of consensus include amending Article 70 to allow MPs to vote freely on most matters, granting the opposition leadership of key standing committees, delineating constituencies, outlining guidelines for presidential pardons, decentralizing the High Court, refining the process of appointing the chief justice and the Election Commission, establishing an independent police commission for a more accountable police force, separating the roles of prime minister and party chief, and appointing the deputy speaker from the opposition. Parties expressing disagreement provided notes of dissent.
However, a significant agreement was reached on establishing a permanent independent commission for the police, aiming to prevent misuse of this crucial state institution. This move holds the potential to enhance public safety and ensure police accountability, though resistance from bureaucratic quarters may arise due to the loss of power.
On the contrary, the consensus on women’s representation remains disappointing, with the provision of 50 reserved seats unchanged. The new agreement stipulating that five percent of a party’s total election candidates must be women does little to address the systemic barriers women face in electoral contests, potentially perpetuating male dominance in politics.
Despite the strides made by the NCC, challenges persist in reshaping political culture and power dynamics. The historical dominance of the executive branch, the need for checks and balances, and the imperative to overhaul political party structures for greater democracy and accountability are critical for sustainable reform.
As we commend the progress achieved by the NCC and applaud the parties for their consensus on vital issues, lingering uncertainties remain regarding their conduct once in power. The transformation of political parties post-election underscores the necessity for enduring cultural and institutional reforms to truly advance democracy and governance in Bangladesh.