[🇧🇩] Consensus Commission.

[Saif]

Date of Event: Feb 5, 2025 Source : https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/consensus-commissions-first-meeting-mid-feb-3816246

Consensus commission’s first meeting in mid-Feb
6 commissions may submit full reports on February 8

Photo: BSS

The National Consensus Commission headed by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will start discussions with the political parties and stakeholders of the 2024 uprising in mid-February.


The date of the first meeting would be fixed in consultation with the political parties and stakeholders of the uprising, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said yesterday after Prof Yunus held a meeting with the chiefs of six reform commissions.

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The six commissions are expected to submit their full reports on February 8. 8, after which their recommendations will be sent to the political parties for their consideration, according to Asif Nazrul.

He said the first meeting would be presided over by Prof Yunus at the Foreign Service Academy. The government hopes to continue the talks in Ramadan if possible, he added.​

 

[Saif]

Nat’l commission formed to build political consensus for reforms

The interim government has formed a seven-member ‘national consensus commission’ in a bid to build a consensus of political parties and forces on the recommendations submitted by six reform commissions.

www.newagebd.net

Nat’l commission formed to build political consensus for reforms
Staff Correspondent 13 February, 2025, 16:04

Professor Muhammad Yunus | File photo

The interim government has formed a seven-member ‘national consensus commission’ in a bid to build a consensus of political parties and forces on the recommendations submitted by six reform commissions.

The commission headed by chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus would begin work on February 15, a circular issued by the cabinet division Wednesday evening said.

Constitution reform commission chief Professor Ali Riaz was made the vice-president of the newly formed commission while public administration reform commission chief Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, police reform commission chief Safar Raj Hossain, electoral reform commission chief Badiul Alam Majumder, judiciary reform commission member Justice Emdadul Hoque and Anti-Corruption Commission reform commission chief Iftekharuzzaman were made members of the Yunus-led commission.

According to the circular, the national consensus commission, within its six-month tenure, would hold discussions with political parties and forces and reach a consensus on reforms in electoral, police activities, judiciary, public administration, constitution, and anti-corruption drives.

‘The goal of the national consensus commission is to prepare a national charter agreed by the majority of the country’s political parties,’ said Ali Riaz on Thursday, while addressing a press conference on behalf of the constitution reform commission at Parliament premises in Dhaka.

The constitution reform commission chief said that the basis of the discussions would be the six reform commissions’ recommendations that were made public on February 8.

Replying to a question on what would be the immediate measures for the reforms in the constitution, he said that the constitution would be reformed step-by-step, instead of piecemeal solutions, following discussions with political parties.

The constitution reform commission recommended pluralism as one of the state’s fundamental principles and, Ali Riaz, as the commission chief, reminded that the state’s responsibility was to recognise and accommodate a maximum number of diversified thoughts, beliefs and views that exist in the country.

Regarding the recommendations for keeping state religion and, at the same time, pluralism in the constitution, he said, ‘The commission members had divided opinions about state religion. But we still considered going with it because of the contemporary political trends and feedback from the majority of political parties and common people.’

He said that they recommended lowering the eligibility age for contesting parliamentary elections from 25 years to 21 years to encourage young people to participate in policymaking.

Ali Riaz said that the constitution reform commission recommended a national constitutional council to ensure the accountability of both the treasury and opposition parties and to prevent autocracy in the future.

Constitution reform commission members Dhaka University’s law teachers Professor Sumaiya Khair and Professor Muhammad Ekramul Haque, lawyers Imran Siddique, Sharif Bhuiyan and Moin Alam Ferozi and writers Firoz Ahmed Md Mustahin Billah were also present.​

 

[Saif]

Consensus commission's first meeting with political parties tomorrow

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will hold the first of possibly many meetings with the political parties tomorrow (February 15) as part of interim government's efforts to build national consensus ahead of the next national election.

www.thedailystar.net

Consensus commission's first meeting with political parties tomorrow

File photo: STAR

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will hold the first of possibly many meetings with the political parties tomorrow (February 15) as part of interim government's efforts to build national consensus ahead of the next national election.

The first meeting of the national consensus-building commission, to be chaired by Prof Yunus, will be held from 3:00pm-5.30pm at the Foreign Service Academy, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir told UNB today.

The chief adviser will deliver a speech at the meeting, he said.

Earlier, the government formed a seven-member National Consensus Commission to review and adopt the recommendations submitted by the six key reform commissions.

The members of the new commission are Prof Ali Riaz, head of the Constitutional Reform Commission; Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, head of Public Administration Reform Commission; Safar Raj Hossain, head of Police Reform Commission; Badiul Alam Majumder, head of Election Reform Commission; Justice Emdadul Haque, head of Judiciary Reform Commission; and Dr Iftekharuzzaman, head of Anti-Corruption Reform Commission.

The commission will operate for six months starting from tomorrow (February 15).​

 

[Saif]

BNP to attend first meeting of National Consensus Commission

A BNP delegation, led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, will attend the meeting, BNP Media Cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan said today.

www.thedailystar.net

BNP to attend first meeting of National Consensus Commission

The BNP will participate in the first meeting of the National Consensus Commission tomorrow at 3:00pm.

The meeting will be chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and will take place at the Foreign Service Academy on Bailey Road in Dhaka.

A BNP delegation, led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, will attend the meeting, BNP Media Cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan said today.

Representatives from other political parties are also expected to participate.

On Thursday, the government formed a seven-member National Consensus Commission to review and adopt the recommendations submitted by the six key reform commissions.

The Cabinet Division announced the formation of the commission in a notification. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus had earlier said he would lead this commission.

The members of the new commission are Prof Ali Riaz, head of the Constitutional Reform Commission; Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, head of Public Administration Reform Commission; Safar Raj Hossain, head of Police Reform Commission; Badiul Alam Majumder, head of Election Reform Commission; Justice Emdadul Haque, head of Judiciary Reform Commission; and Dr Iftekharuzzaman, head of Anti-Corruption Reform Commission.

The commission will operate for six months after commencing its work on February 15. Following its deliberations, the commission will submit recommendations for necessary actions. Its primary mandate is to engage with political parties and stakeholders of the 2024 uprising to build a national consensus on reforms related to elections, public administration, the judiciary, anti-corruption measures, and police activities.

The Chief Adviser's Office will manage the commission's secretarial duties, while the government will determine the commission's office location.​

 

[Saif]

National charter likely to be prepared in six months

The interim government will prepare a ‘national charter’ within six months based on the national consensus on reforms among the political parties.

www.newagebd.net

National charter likely to be prepared in six months
Staff Correspondent 15 February, 2025, 23:55

The National Consensus Commission holds its first meeting, chaired by chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, with political parties at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Saturday. | Star Mail photo

Some political parties demand national election first, ban of AL

The interim government will prepare a ‘national charter’ within six months based on the national consensus on reforms among the political parties.

Besides, the National Consensus Commission will hold a series of dialogues with political parties to finalise the ‘national charter’.

The decisions were taken at the first meeting between the National Consensus Commission and political parties and alliances on Saturday.

The meeting was held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka with the commission’s head and chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in the chair, sources present in the meeting said.

Around 100 politicians from 27 political parties and alliances, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Jatiya Nagarik Committee and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, attended the meeting.

Leaders of most of the political parties at the meeting urged the interim government not to hold local government elections before the national election.

They also urged for holding the next national election after necessary reforms.

Some of the parties, especially Jatiya Nagarik Committee led by students, also urged the government to take measures to ban the Awami League for crimes against humanity.

National Consensus Commission vice-chairman Professor Ali Riaz told journalists that separate meetings regarding the reports of the reform commissions would be held with political parties soon.

He said that all political parties in Saturday’s meeting had agreed that there was no alternative to national unity in the current situation of the country.

He said that all the parties had even agreed to cooperate with the interim government in carrying out the reform programs. ‘We think that the responsibility of each of the political parties is to take our reform programs forward,’ he said.

‘We want to reach a consensus as soon as possible through dialogues. But, since we are sending the reports of the six commissions to the political parties, they need some time to review them,’ he said.

‘We will talk to the political parties separately. We do not want to prolong the process,’ he said.

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, addressing the meeting, demanded full reports of the six reform commissions and informed the meeting that their party would give opinion after conducting a study on the reports, sources present in the meeting said.

The BNP leader, after attending the meeting, said to journalists, ‘we hope that a minimum consensus on this reform will be reached very soon and that the national election, based on the consensus, will be held very soon. This is our expectation.’

In response to a question, he reiterated that they had already made it clear that the national election must be held first and local government elections will be held then.

Jatiya Nagarik Committee convener Nasiruddin Patwari said that they told the meeting that the ‘July Charter’, or the ‘national charter’, would have to be formulated through legal process.

He said that his party thought that the Constituent Assembly, national election and reforms could go together.

The people of the country will get freedom through a new constitution through the Constituent Assembly, he said.

Revolutionary Workers Party general secretary and Ganatantra Mancha coordinator Saiful Huq told New Age that they had told the interim government to continue their works on three main issues – completing some essential reforms, holding trials of the fascists, and arranging the next general election within justified time as early as possible.

‘Moreover, we proposed the interim government to form another commission to remove discriminations, especially economic discriminations,’ he added.

Hasnat Abdullah, the convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said that they had proposed to cancel the registration of the Awami League as the first step towards banning the party.

Socialist Party of Bangladesh general secretary Bazlur Rashid Firoz, after attending the meeting, told New Age that they had proposed that the next general elections should be held as early as possible in a free, fair and credible manner for the democratic transition of the country.

SPB also demanded the publication of a white paper on the six months’ rule of the interim government, he said.

Jamaat’s nayeb-e-ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher told journalists that they told the meeting that reforms were necessary and should be implemented first before the national election.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s senior presidium member Mosaddek Billah said that they suggested holding necessary reform first and holding the election through a proportional representation system and ensuring the trial of the AL before the election.

Gono Odhikar Parishad president Nurul Haque Nur said that they told the meeting that the local government election should be held quickly as the local government system remained inactive for the past six months.​

 

[Saif]

We don’t want a prolonged process in reaching consensus: Ali Riaz

National Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Prof Ali Riaz on Saturday said that efforts will be made to establish a consensus among political parties as swiftly as possible, aiming to move towards the national election. He made the remarks following a meeting of the National Consensus Commission,

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

We don’t want a prolonged process in reaching consensus: Ali Riaz
UNB
Published :
Feb 15, 2025 21:16
Updated :
Feb 15, 2025 21:16

National Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Prof Ali Riaz on Saturday said that efforts will be made to establish a consensus among political parties as swiftly as possible, aiming to move towards the national election.

He made the remarks following a meeting of the National Consensus Commission, led by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, with all political parties at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital.

Ali Riaz said, "Today, on behalf of the National Consensus Commission, we sat with all political parties. Our objective was to formally initiate the commission's work. We had requested political parties to send their representatives so that they could not only familiarise themselves with one another but also express their respective views."

He clarified that the meeting was not intended to serve as a dialogue but rather to discuss the framework of the commission's process. "In essence, we consider this meeting as an official inauguration. A total of 27 political parties were present today, with more than a hundred representatives from different parties and coalitions participating. Among them, 32 people spoke at the meeting," he added.

As the head of the Constitutional Reform Commission, Riaz said that political parties have strongly emphasised that there is no alternative to national unity.

"They have demonstrated their commitment to the reform process and have expressed their willingness to support, assist, and participate in the initiatives of the National Consensus Commission and the interim government," he said.

He went on to say, "This strong stance taken by political parties substantiates the remarks of Chief Adviser and Commission Head Dr Muhammad Yunus, who has said that every political party, citizen, and section of society has a responsibility to ensure the smooth progress of the reform process."

"With that objective in mind, today's meeting was convened. We are hopeful that the National Consensus Commission’s work will now commence. We will engage in separate discussions with political parties, as well as hold talks with alliances collectively. Eventually, we will reconvene everyone. We do not wish to prolong this process unnecessarily and expect to complete it within a short period. Political parties have been requested to submit hard copies of their reform reports, and we will take prompt action in this regard," he added.

About concerns over delays, Riaz asserted that there was no hesitation among political parties in achieving consensus. "We are optimistic that we will be able to advance this process effectively."

When asked about the estimated duration for concluding these discussions, he said, "The commission's tenure is six months. Our objective is to reach a consensus as soon as possible. However, since political parties will require time to review the reports of the six commissions, we aim to expedite the process while ensuring that reforms move forward and consensus is reached in preparation for the elections."

In response to whether this will be accomplished within six months, he said, "We are hopeful that it can be completed in less than the stipulated time. Political parties have expressed interest, but this will not happen abruptly. We have received the reports, and the political parties will review them thoroughly. They must be given ample time. While this will require some time, we are committed to beginning the discussions and negotiations as soon as possible."​

 

[Saif]

National unity alone can ensure stability and desired reforms

The previous government left the country’s economy and governance system in a fragile state.

www.thedailystar.net

National unity alone can ensure stability and desired reforms

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus speaks at a views-exchange meeting with the leaders of different political parties at the capital’s Foreign Service Academy on December 4, 2024. Photo: PID

In August 2024, the chief adviser of the interim government said in his speech, "We are one family. We have one goal. We are committed to fulfilling the aspirations of our youth, and we are ready to take on this challenge." This statement reflected his concern that if national unity collapsed, the achievements of the mass uprising could be lost. That very concern is now becoming evident.

Since taking over the country's governance, the interim government has faced disruptions to public life from more than 170 movements driven by diverse vested interests. This wave of demonstrations arises from the perceived weakness of the interim administration, marked by fractured state institutions and the absence of a political party's organisational strength. Protesters have exploited this vulnerability to push their demands—some legitimate, others serving personal agendas—at a time when maintaining national unity is more critical than ever. Since independence, political parties have weaponised divisive ideologies such as the "spirit of independence," "Bengali vs Bangladeshi," and "Pro-India vs Pro-Pakistan." Although these differences are minimal in reality, they have been exaggerated to serve political agendas. This deliberate polarisation has kept Bangladesh trapped in a cycle of disunity and stagnation. Oxford development economist Paul Collier refers to such situations as a "Conflict Trap," where persistent division severely restricts a society's potential for progress. To break free from this cycle, the country's politics must prioritise public welfare over divisive narratives.

The previous government left the country's economy and governance system in a fragile state. Due to the inefficiency of state institutions and the perceived weakness of the government, the law-and-order situation has deteriorated, commodity prices have soared, and extortion has become rampant. Continuous street protests threaten to paralyse public order, further worsening an already fragile situation.

When the interim government was formed, many hoped it would steer the country towards stability. However, six months down the line, that optimism has faded. Even the chief adviser recently acknowledged growing concerns over the government's ability to manage the crisis.

Political theorists have long argued that while governments enforce laws, citizens must uphold them, and political parties should act as a bridge between the state and the people. The current crisis has revealed weaknesses in all three areas.

The interim government has taken on the responsibility of managing a weakened state, where law enforcement, the judiciary, and public administration were dismantled by previous rulers. These institutions require extensive reforms, which cannot be achieved in the short term. Given this, the government must engage in open dialogue with political parties, civil society, and key stakeholders to present a clear roadmap for necessary reforms and announce a specific date for national elections. It appears the government is moving in that direction.

The country faces severe law and order challenges due to the lack of an impartial and effective police force. Currently, the police-to-population ratio in Bangladesh is significantly inadequate. To meet effective policing standards, Bangladesh needs to recruit a substantial number of additional police personnel. However, since such an expansion cannot happen overnight, deploying other disciplined forces is necessary to manage the country's current crisis.

Military forces with expanded authority have been deployed, but their numbers remain limited for policing duties due to their primary defense responsibilities. Paramilitary groups such as the Ansars, the Village Defence Party (VDP), and the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC), along with retired military and law enforcement personnel, can play a vital role in maintaining public order. The VDP alone consists of thousands of trained individuals with strong grassroots connections, making it particularly well-suited to managing law and order in upazilas and rural areas.

Finally, the performance of the advisers within the interim government must be critically assessed. Formed hastily amid a national crisis, the government, now after six months in power, must identify and replace underperforming advisers with competent, results-driven individuals.

Political parties must move beyond verbal support and actively assist the government. While insisting on a definitive election date is logical, political parties must play an active role in resolving several critical national issues—improving law and order being one of them.

During Durga Puja, political parties played a commendable role in protecting Hindu temples. A similar model could be adopted to combat extortion, highway robbery, and the activities of teenage gangs through community policing initiatives. This would have the added benefit of increasing public support for the parties, which would help them in the next election.

Recent protests by students, bureaucrats, and labour unions have prioritised narrow interests over national stability, disrupting public life. Political parties, leveraging their networks within these groups, should mediate these grievances through constructive dialogue, ensuring short-term demands do not aggravate the current crisis.

A political party that claims broad public support must demonstrate it by actively engaging with all segments of society to improve current conditions. Failing to do so weakens its credibility and casts doubt on its ability to lead a future government. With public scrutiny at its peak, the party's actions today will significantly shape voter sentiment in upcoming elections.

Leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement played a crucial role in recent political events and must now set a clear, purposeful direction. Forming a party with government support would merely repeat past mistakes. Instead, they should prioritise a long-term vision focused on addressing the root causes of underdevelopment. The most effective reform lies in fostering a politically aware and engaged citizenry—transforming individuals into active citizens. Although this is a lengthy process, it remains the only sustainable solution.

Thus, the primary aim of a new political party formed by students should be to spearhead systemic reforms by confronting colonial-era structures that hinder effective governance. Their most significant role would be to educate grassroots communities, fostering socio-political awareness and mobilising citizens to stand against injustice, corruption, and deep-rooted misgovernance. By choosing to remain in opposition rather than pursuing power, they can serve as an effective watchdog—ensuring government accountability without becoming entangled in it. Bangladesh is at a critical juncture. The August 5 movement has highlighted the urgent need for structural reform, but achieving this will require the active participation of all stakeholders. Playing the blame game will not resolve the crisis. The country's future depends on shared responsibility, strategic reforms, and a commitment to unity. If the interim government fails, it will not be their failure alone—it will be a collective failure of the political class, civil society, and the people. Only a unified, pragmatic approach can enable Bangladesh to break free from the cycle of conflict and division. The time to act is now.

Saifur Rahman is a senior IT specialist and certified professional.​

 

[Saif]

Time to set aside partisan interests

Building consensus on key reform proposals is the main challenge

www.thedailystar.net

Time to set aside partisan interests
Building consensus on key reform proposals is the main challenge

VISUAL: STAR

We welcome the initiation of the official process to build consensus on the proposals submitted by six key reform commissions, with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus calling it the start of the "second phase" of the interim government. Earlier, when four of the six commission reports were submitted in mid-January, Prof Yunus took a similarly upbeat view of it alluding to a "new chapter" for the nation. Indeed, the first meeting of the National Consensus Commission, attended by some 100 representatives from 26 political parties and alliances, was all about reaffirming the commitment to state reform in line with the spirit of the July uprising, as well as determining the process of consensus building. At the end of this process, there will be a charter based on discussions with political parties and civil society, which will serve as a roadmap for executing the reforms.

The significance of undertaking this process properly cannot be overstated. Prof Ali Riaz, co-chair of the seven-member consensus commission, has stated that dialogues will be held with all political parties individually and in groups, including "unofficial discussions." He also signalled that even though the commission has been given six months, their goal is to reach consensus as soon as possible. Summaries of the six reports have already been shared with political parties for review and feedback. Reportedly, there will be a methodical approach to collecting feedback. One participant at Saturday's meeting told Prothom Alo that mention was made of a website where the reform proposals would be published and political parties can mark "yes" or "no" on each, ensuring transparency and accountability in the process.

That said, we think it is important that the reform proposals are categorised based on feasibility and urgency. For example, certain proposals—such as improving electoral integrity, ensuring transparent governance, or curtailing the prime minister's powers—already enjoy broad consensus. Others—such as constitutional amendments or restructuring key institutions—may require prolonged deliberation and public endorsement. It is also essential to separate short-term, easily implementable reforms from those requiring long-term structural changes. However, the greatest challenge will be in reaching consensus on the most critical reforms. This is where political parties must demonstrate their commitment by prioritising national interests over partisan agenda.

Unfortunately, consensus-building has historically been fraught and elusive in Bangladesh's politics. When the BNP secretary general refers to a "minimum consensus" as a baseline for wrapping up this process, leading to the next elections, it further raises questions about its success. We, therefore, urge political parties to engage in the reform dialogue with the sincerity and compromise it demands, because without political buy-in and constructive engagement, even the most well-intentioned reform initiatives may falter. They must rise above their differences, partisanship, and adversarial postures for the sake of a "new Bangladesh" that truly reflects the aspirations of those who fought and sacrificed during the July uprising. The ball is in their court now.​