Home Minister and Chairman of the Jatiya Sangsad Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment Salahuddin Ahmed has called for opposition participation in the process of amending the Constitution.
“The proposals and opinions of the opposition would also be considered in the constitutional amendment process if they participate in the committee’s discussions,” he said.
He made the remarks at a press briefing at the Media Centre of the Jatiya Sangsad following the third meeting of the special committee at the Cabinet Room of Parliament.
Salahuddin said the opposition had been repeatedly invited to join the committee and would be welcomed whenever they participate in its discussions.
“We have repeatedly invited the opposition. We are still inviting them—whenever they join this committee, we will welcome them. Their views and proposals will be discussed,” he said.
He said opposition participation would help incorporate and reconcile different issues raised by them.
“The government wants to complete the important national task of amending the Constitution on the basis of consensus without creating divisions,” he said.
Editors of national dailies, senior journalists and representatives of journalist organisations attended the committee meeting and presented their views and proposals on constitutional amendments.
Regarding the timeline, Salahuddin said the committee was making efforts to submit its report to Parliament by December.
A constitutional amendment bill would then be prepared through the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and could be placed in the first parliamentary session of next year, if everything proceeds as planned.
He said the process would begin with the introduction of the bill in Parliament. After discussions and disposal of proposed amendments and objections, the bill would be passed in accordance with parliamentary rules.
A referendum would then be held before presidential assent if the Constitution requires a referendum for amendments to particular provisions.
Salahuddin said a general referendum and a constitutional referendum were not the same. Referring to Article 142 of the Constitution, he said a referendum could be required when certain specific constitutional provisions are amended.
“First, the amendment will be passed in Parliament. Then, before the President gives assent, a referendum will be held on those articles for which the Constitution provides for a referendum when changes are made. If the people vote in favour, the President will then give assent,” he said.
He said the specific constitutional provisions to be amended would be determined through discussions in the special committee and the subsequent parliamentary process.
Salahuddin, also a Standing Committee member of the ruling BNP, said the government wanted to implement the July National Charter on the basis of consensus.
“We want unity among ourselves; we do not want any division. We will implement the July National Charter exactly as it was signed,” he said.
He added that issues not discussed or left unresolved during the National Consensus Commission’s discussions would also be considered on the basis of consensus.
The committee will also consider commitments made in the ruling BNP’s election manifesto where constitutional amendments are required for their implementation, he said.
Issues that can be incorporated into the Constitution based on public opinion and the views of people from different professions and sections of society will also be reviewed. Matters that can be addressed through ordinary legislation, however, will be dealt with through legislation, he added.
Salahuddin said the committee would review the opinions and proposals submitted by journalists. Written proposals from journalists would also be collected and considered through further discussions.
He said journalists had given views on various issues, ranging from the Preamble of the Constitution to different constitutional articles and implementation of the July National Charter.
Following consultations with stakeholders, a report and a booklet incorporating their views would be prepared, while the main report of the special committee would remain separate.
The committee chairman said the July National Charter was the main basis of its work, while election manifesto commitments would also be considered in formulating recommendations.
“The priority is the July National Charter. However, we will also incorporate the issues on which we received a mandate from the people according to our election manifesto,” he said.
Salahuddin said the issue of faith and trust in Almighty Allah in the Preamble and the fundamental principles of state policy was also part of the ruling party’s election commitments.
Although the National Consensus Commission did not reach a unanimous decision on these issues, he said they would be considered while formulating recommendations for constitutional amendments.
