Thursday, 18 September, 2025
The National Consensus Commission’s negotiations with political parties on implementing the July Charter have now zeroed in on two decisive paths: a special constitutional order or a nationwide referendum. The choice between these two approaches could shape the next phase of Bangladesh’s political transition — and tensions are rising over which route is more legitimate.
Presenting the expert panel’s final recommendations on Wednesday, Commission Vice-Chairman Professor Dr Ali Riaz made it clear that the interim government faces a momentous decision. Non-constitutional reforms could be enacted through ordinances or government orders, but constitutional amendments — including restructuring state powers — will require either a constitutional order or a direct vote by the people.
The expert panel has proposed that the interim government promulgate a constitutional order anchored in the 22-point July Proclamation. This order would immediately bring core constitutional reforms into force, but its legitimacy would hinge on a public referendum — ideally held alongside the next national election.
“This is now the consolidated expert opinion: issue a constitutional order to implement the Charter’s constitutional recommendations, and then seek people’s approval through a referendum,” Prof Riaz told reporters after the third day of dialogue at the Foreign Service Academy.
Several parties have floated the idea of seeking the Supreme Court’s advisory opinion under Article 106 of the Constitution, but there was no consensus on the necessity or timing of judicial involvement — a sign of the deep political divisions that still remain.
Justice Md Emdadul Haque, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, Dr Md Ayub Mia, and Monir Haider, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, were present at the briefing.
The commission has asked parties for more time to weigh the proposals and hopes to present its final recommendations to the government by early October. Informal negotiations will continue in the meantime, with the commission pushing for a minimum level of consensus to avoid political deadlock.
Analysts say the debate reflects a broader tension: whether Bangladesh’s ongoing transition will be driven by executive action or popular mandate. A constitutional order offers speed and stability, while a referendum carries the weight of public legitimacy but could delay reforms and open space for renewed political confrontation.
Representatives from around 30 political parties — including the BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP), Ganadhikar Parishad, Ganasamhati Andolon, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Revolutionary Workers Party, and Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party — took part in the dialogue.
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The National Consensus Commission’s negotiations with political parties on implementing the July Charter have now zeroed in on two decisive paths: a special constitutional order or a nationwide referendum. The choice between these two approaches could shape the next phase of Bangladesh’s political transition — and tensions are rising over which route is more legitimate.
Presenting the expert panel’s final recommendations on Wednesday, Commission Vice-Chairman Professor Dr Ali Riaz made it clear that the interim government faces a momentous decision. Non-constitutional reforms could be enacted through ordinances or government orders, but constitutional amendments — including restructuring state powers — will require either a constitutional order or a direct vote by the people.
The expert panel has proposed that the interim government promulgate a constitutional order anchored in the 22-point July Proclamation. This order would immediately bring core constitutional reforms into force, but its legitimacy would hinge on a public referendum — ideally held alongside the next national election.
“This is now the consolidated expert opinion: issue a constitutional order to implement the Charter’s constitutional recommendations, and then seek people’s approval through a referendum,” Prof Riaz told reporters after the third day of dialogue at the Foreign Service Academy.
Several parties have floated the idea of seeking the Supreme Court’s advisory opinion under Article 106 of the Constitution, but there was no consensus on the necessity or timing of judicial involvement — a sign of the deep political divisions that still remain.
Justice Md Emdadul Haque, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, Dr Md Ayub Mia, and Monir Haider, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, were present at the briefing.
The commission has asked parties for more time to weigh the proposals and hopes to present its final recommendations to the government by early October. Informal negotiations will continue in the meantime, with the commission pushing for a minimum level of consensus to avoid political deadlock.
Analysts say the debate reflects a broader tension: whether Bangladesh’s ongoing transition will be driven by executive action or popular mandate. A constitutional order offers speed and stability, while a referendum carries the weight of public legitimacy but could delay reforms and open space for renewed political confrontation.
Representatives from around 30 political parties — including the BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP), Ganadhikar Parishad, Ganasamhati Andolon, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Revolutionary Workers Party, and Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party — took part in the dialogue.
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