[🇧🇩] July Charter

[Saif]

NCC drafts July national charter

Political parties on Monday received the draft of the ‘July National Charter 2025’, prepared by the National Consensus Commission, which would bind the parties to implement the consensus-based reforms within two years after the formation of the parliament.

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NCC drafts July national charter
No consensus yet on appointment of PSC, ACC, CA
Staff Correspondent 29 July, 2025, 00:24

Political parties on Monday received the draft of the ‘July National Charter 2025’, prepared by the National Consensus Commission, which would bind the parties to implement the consensus-based reforms within two years after the formation of the parliament.

On the day, 30 parties attended the 20th session of the NCC’s second-round dialogue at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka and discussed the appointment procedures for the proposed three Public Service Commissions, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and the decision-making process of the selection committee for the caretaker government. However, no consensus was reached on the issues.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party walked out of the dialogue for a while to abstain from discussing the appointment procedures.

Regarding the charter’s draft, the NCC vice-chair Professor Ali Riaz said the charter would contain the consensus-based reforms and the parties’ endorsement.

He requested the parties to come up with their feedback on the draft by Wednesday as the commission had earlier decided to conclude its dialogue by July 31.

The draft charter obliges the signatory parties to restore democratic accountability, uphold the rule of law, and reform state institutions.

As per a 7-point endorsement declaration, the signatories will pledge to honour the sacrifices of thousands of people during the July 2024 uprising and uphold the charter as a shared moral obligation.

The charter would mention the background of the reforms, including the history of the six reform commissions and the NCC.

During the session, the NCC presented a formula for the appointment of top officials to the PSC and the ACC, the Comptroller and Auditor General, and the Ombudsman.

As proposed, the constitution’s article 137 would be amended or omitted while three PSCs would be formed with a chair and seven members each.

To appoint top PSC officials, a seven-member selection committee would be formed, headed by the speaker of parliament. Other members would include the deputy speaker, the chief whips of the ruling and the opposition parties, a lawmaker representing the second opposition party, and the chairs of the parliamentary standing committees on education and public administration.

As proposed, the president would appoint the PSC chair and members for a five-year term, based on the committee’s recommendations.

Ninety days before the current officials’ terms expire, the committee would issue a public call for applications, including a letter of interest and a biodata, as defined by the law.

The committee would then vet candidates and make appointments based on a two-thirds majority decision.

Laws enacted by the parliament would define the eligibility criteria, code of conduct, age limit, accountability measures, and rules for resignation and reappointment of the PSC officials.

Political parties, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Nijam e Isami Party, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Amar Bangladesh Party, Ganosamhati Andolan, Socialist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist), Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Gano Forum, with additional suggestions, supported the NCC proposal.

On the other hand, the BNP refrained from discussing the issue while its like-minded allies, including the Jatiyatabadi Samamana Jote, National Democratic Party, National People’s Party, Liberal Democratic Party, opposed the proposal, saying that the appointment procedure for the PSC should be guided by laws.

The NCC vice-chair said that the commission would present a refined proposal in a couple of days.

Later, the NCC proposed that the status of the statutory ACC would be changed to a constitutional body.

A separate seven-member selection and evaluation committee was proposed for appointing top ACC officials.

The committee would be chaired by the second most senior judge of the Appellate Division and include the senior-most High Court judge, the CAG, the PSC chair, one representative each from the leader of the parliament and the leader of the opposition and a civil society representative nominated by the chief justice.

NCC member Iftekharuzzaman elaborated on the proposal.

The application and the verification would be similar to that of the PSC. After the verification, the committee would finalise the list of selected candidates and the president would then appoint them, including at least one woman, for a four-year term.

Parties, including the Jamaat, IAB, Khelafat Majlis, SPB, SPB (Marxist), Communist Party of Bangladesh, National Citizen Party, AB Party and Jatiya Gano Front, supported the ACC as a constitutional body.

However, LDP secretary general Redwan Ahmed warned that constitutionalising the ACC could limit the legislative flexibility over the body. NPP president Fariduzzaman Farhad, among others, also opposed the proposal.

The issue was adjourned for further discussion.

Later, the NCC brought up the issue of the selection of a caretaker government’s chief adviser for discussion.

Jamaat nayeb-e-amir Syed Abdullah Mohammed Taher suggested that the proposed five-member selection committee would take the decision on a 4-1 majority, or apply an open ballot in ranked-choice method before considering the provisions for the caretaker government guided by the constitution’s 13th amendment.

According to the 13th amendment, the president appoints the last-retired chief justice as the chief adviser.

BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed repeated his party’s opposition to the ranked-choice method and requested that the matter be finalised in the next parliament.

Later in a press briefing, NCC vice-chair Ali Riaz requested the parties to prepare for finalising the issue by today.

He also said that the Foreign Service Academy authorities were requested to investigate a fire alarm at 12:20pm on Monday.​

 

[Saif]

NCP to place 'July Charter' by August 5: Nahid Islam

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Tuesday said that a draft of the much-anticipated 'July Charter' has been prepared and is expected to be announced by August 5. "After the 1990 mass uprising, political parties betrayed the people and the student community. This time, the July C

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

NCP to place 'July Charter' by August 5: Nahid Islam

UNB
Published :
Jul 29, 2025 20:55
Updated :
Jul 29, 2025 20:55

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Tuesday said that a draft of the much-anticipated 'July Charter' has been prepared and is expected to be announced by August 5.

"After the 1990 mass uprising, political parties betrayed the people and the student community. This time, the July Charter must have the consensus of all political parties and elections must be held on its basis with full legal backing," he said.

Nahid was speaking at a street rally organised by the Gazipur Metropolitan and District units of the NCP on Rajbari Road in the city.

"The draft of the July Charter has been prepared, " he said.

"We have said that there must be consensus among the political parties on this and elections must be held based on the July document and it must have a legal basis. Whichever government comes to power, it will be obliged to implement these reforms. We hope that by August 5, the interim government and political parties will present the July Charter," he said.

Earlier in the day, the party also held a rally in Mawna of Sreepur upazila, as part of their ongoing campaign across the country.

Nahid Islam reiterated his party's stance on what he termed the fight for a "new Bangladesh."

He alleged that despite intimidation efforts by "terror elements" in Gazipur, NCP would not be deterred.

"They couldn't stop us in Gopalganj and they won't stop us in Gazipur either. We've reached 64 districts and will continue our movement. We've declared that every inch of Bangladesh's land will be freed from Mujibism, and those responsible will be brought to justice," said Nahid.

He also urged the people to stand by the families of the martyred and injured in the mass uprising.

Speaking at the rally, Hasnat Abdullah, an organiser of the party, said, "Sheikh Hasina turned the army into construction workers and used the police as political tools."

He added that reforms are underway to prevent the political misuse of law enforcement, and if given the chance, NCP would modernise and strengthen the army, he said.

Moderated by NCP organiser Sarjis Alam the rally was addressed by several other leaders of the party.​

 

[Saif]

Cannot accept draft of the July Charter: NCP

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has said the National Consensus Commission suddenly released a draft of the July Charter without any prior discussion although it proposed six decision-making processes. NCP joint convener Javed Rasin said, “We strongly oppose this. There was no discussion on...

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Cannot accept draft of the July Charter: NCP
Staff Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 29 Jul 2025, 17: 45

The 21st day of the second phase of the National Consensus Commission dialogue was held at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital on Tuesday morning. Prothom Alo

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has said the National Consensus Commission suddenly released a draft of the July Charter without any prior discussion although it proposed six decision-making processes.

NCP joint convener Javed Rasin said, “We strongly oppose this. There was no discussion on how the dialogue would be conducted, yet they went ahead and released a draft — we cannot accept this.”

Javed Rasin made these remarks during the break of the 21st day of the second phase of the National Consensus Commission's dialogue at the Foreign Service Academy on Tuesday.

He said, “We have made it clear that the issues on which consensus has been reached must be given legal grounds before the election, and the next parliamentary election must be held on that basis.”

Javed Rasin said that discussions had been ongoing regarding the 'ranked choice' method in relation to the caretaker government system over the past few days.

He said, “According to this method, a proposal was made today to form a seven-member committee by adding two more members from the judiciary, who will cast votes.”

He added, “We have agreed to this proposal. Almost all political parties have agreed with us, except for the BNP and a few of its allies.”

The NCP leader said that the National Citizen Party has stated it will decide through internal discussions whether to sign the July Charter if the fundamental reforms, which the party deems essential to dismantle the 'fascist structure', are not implemented.

Today’s discussion included the participation of 30 political parties, including the BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP), Islami Andolan, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), and Ganosamhati Andolan.

The discussion was presided over by National Consensus Commission Vice-President Ali Riaz. It was moderated by Monir Haider, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser. Others present included Safar Raj Hossain, justice Emdadul Haque, Badiul Alam Majumdar, Iftekharuzzaman, and Aiyub Mia.​

 

[Saif]

Jamaat, NCP reject draft July Charter

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party representatives on Tuesday rejected the National Consensus Commission-drafted July National Charter 2025...

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Jamaat, NCP reject draft July Charter
No consensus yet on key posts, women’s representation
Staff Correspondent 29 July, 2025, 23:53

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party representatives on Tuesday rejected the National Consensus Commission-drafted July National Charter 2025.

The political leaders expressed their concerns while talking to journalists in the NCC-hosted 21st dialogue session at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

On the day, the NCC’s second-round dialogue session covered discussions on the selection of the caretaker government chief adviser, the appointments of the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Ombudsman, and women’s representation in the parliament. However, no consensus was reached on the issues.

The NCC on Monday presented the draft July charter that would bind the political parties to implement the consensus-based reforms within two years of the formation of the next parliament.

NCC vice-chair Professor Ali Riaz declared, ‘This dialogue will continue no longer than July 31.’

Talking about the draft charter, Jamaat nayeb-e-amir Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher termed it ‘incomplete’ and the time-bound roadmap as ‘dangerous’.

He advocated for a legal framework through an ordinance, to be later ratified by the elected parliament, or through a referendum.

NCP joint convener Javed Rasin echoed this sentiment.

Earlier, the NCC presented a refined formula to select the caretaker government’s chief adviser.

As proposed, a five-member selection committee, chaired by the parliament speaker would finalise the chief adviser from a pool of law-defined ‘eligible’ candidates, nominated by political parties and independent lawmakers.

The selection committee members would finalise the chief adviser by building consensus, or pick one by a 4-1 majority vote, or include two members, one Appellate Division judge and one High Court judge, to facilitate a ranked-choice method, or resort to the constitution’s 13th amendment, excluding the president.

The 13th amendment in 1996 provisioned for selecting the chief adviser from the last-retired chief justice and allowed the president for this role in case of unavailability of eligible candidates.

BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed objected to these voting mechanisms, arguing that the next parliament should make decisions in case of a deadlock.

The Jamaat’s Taher and the Rashtra Sangskar Andolan’s Syed Hasibuddin Hossain opposed Salahuddin’s stance and backed the NCC proposal.

Rejecting the 13th amendment, NCP member secretary Akhter Hossen pushed for the issue to be settled within the ongoing dialogue.

In contrast, the Gano Forum’s Jaglul Haider Afrik and the 12-Party Alliance’s Shahaduzzaman Selim supported using the 13th amendment.

The NCC also laid out fresh proposals for appointing the CAG and the Ombudsman, including amending articles 127(1) and 77 of the constitution, respectively.

For the CAG, a proposed seven-member selection committee headed by the deputy speaker would finalise the candidate to be appointed by the president.

For the Ombudsman, another seven-member committee headed by the parliament speaker would finalise the candidate.

Although the BNP had earlier opted out of the discussions on CAG and Ombudsman appointments, Salahuddin on Tuesday suggested pursuing consensus for filling in the long-vacant Ombudsman post.

He also recommended forming an Ombudsman secretariat and revising laws to define its powers as an investigative and quasi-judicial authority.

‘Otherwise, the constitutional inclusion of appointment procedures alone will not work,’ he said.

Several parties, including Gano Adhikar Parishad, NCP, National Democratic Party and Amar Bangladesh Party, advocated for the constitutional recognition of these appointment mechanisms.

The NCC also presented a fresh proposal retaining the current 50 reserved seats for women and their existing electoral process.

Additionally, it recommended mandating that parties must field women in one-fourth or one-fifth of their contested seats, if they run in at least 25 constituencies.

The BNP’s Salahuddin suggested a minimum of 5 per cent of a party’s nominations be allotted to women.

The Revolutionary Workers Party, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Socialist Party of Bangladesh, NCP, and Gano Adhikar Parishad strongly advocated for 100 reserved seats for women.

The Jamaat’s Taher said that the party was open to 100 reserved seats under a vote-share-based proportional system but otherwise supported retaining the existing 50 seats.

Wrapping up the discussion, NCC vice-chair Ali Riaz proposed that parties would commit to nominating 5–7 per cent women candidates for the next national election, with a gradual increase to 15 per cent.

‘Those who agree will sign the charter. Those who don’t can record their reservations,’ he said.​

 

[Saif]

Parties divided over ways of July Charter implementation

Major political parties were divided on Wednesday over the procedures of implementation of the the July National Charter 2025...

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Parties divided over ways of July Charter implementation
Staff Correspondent 30 July, 2025, 23:54

Major political parties were divided on Wednesday over the procedures of implementation of the the July National Charter 2025.

The Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party, among some parties, demanded legitimising the charter before the upcoming national elections.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, among some others, on the other hand, recommended that the charter should be considered as a ‘social treaty’ that would oblige the signatory parties to rectify in the next parliament and start implementation.

The parties shared their opinions while speaking at the National Consensus Commission’s dialogue session at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

The session was also scheduled for discussing on topics including women’s representation, election and power of the president, composition of the upper house, the state’s fundamental principles, appointment of key constitutional and statutory bodies and the citizens’ basic rights.

The parties, however, could only discuss the women’s representation issue but failed to reach a broader consensus.

Regarding the women’s representation in the parliament, the NCC proposed an amendment to Article 65(3), binding parties to field seven per cent of their nominations from women, a gradual increase of women’s nominations at a five per cent rate each election till the total number of reserved seats reaches 100. Until then, the NCC recommended maintaining the existing 50 reserved women’s seats.

BNP’s standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed suggested a 5 per cent reservation for women candidates among contestants for 300 seats in the 13th parliament.

This reservation would gradually increase to 10 per cent from the 14th parliament.

Such an increment was proposed to equip parties to field 100 women candidates, at which point an amendment would omit the existing 50 reserved seats, he said.

NCP’s member secretary Akhter Hossen reiterated his party’s support for direct elections for 100 reserved women›s seats.

He also raised concerns about the implementation of the draft July Charter.

Jamaat›s nayeb-e-amir Syed Abdullah Mohammed Taher opposed the BNP and requested parties to find alternative methods to increase the number of reserved seats to 100.

Regarding the draft of the July Charter, Taher asked who would be responsible for implementing the charter and how it would gain legal standing.

He proposed to use either the Legal Framework Order, or a referendum, or a proclamation by the chief adviser, to be ratified by the next parliament.

In response, the NCC’s vice-chair Ali Riaz clarified that a final decision on this significant matter would follow guidance from the commission chief, Professor Muhammad Yunus.

Liberal Democratic Party secretary general Redwan Ahmed suggested that either an ordinance or a proclamation could provide the necessary legal framework for the proposals.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-Jasod’s presidium member Mushtuq Husain expressed deep frustration over the NCC’s proposal, noting that political parties have consistently failed to uphold the women’s contribution in the July uprising.

Communist Party of Bangladesh’s general secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince shared his disappointment and advocated for direct elections to fill the 100 reserved seats.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s presidium member Ashraf Ali Akon pushed for a proportional representation system based on shared votes for 100 reserved seats.

Nagorik Oikko›s organising secretary Sakib Anwar recommended that the proposed 5 per cent reservation be made obligatory.

Ahmed Abdul Kader of Khelafat Majlis stated that his party would not support the proposal unless it included a clause ensuring a vote-based proportional representation system for 100 reserved seats.

Ali Riaz reiterated the commission’s principled stance on gradually increasing women’s representation to 100 reserved seats.

Ganosamhati Andolan’s chief coordinator Zonayed Saki recommended making 15 per cent women’s representation mandatory from the 14th national election.

Jamaat’s Hamidur urged flexibility in setting the percentage, but the NCC vice-chair rejected this request.

At about 9:20pm, Ali Riaz, while briefing the journalists, said that a majority of the party agreed that women’s reserved seats should be gradually increased from 50 to 100. Some parties recommended proportional representation, and some voted for direct elections.

He said that most of the parties agreed to make a call for contesting parties to nominate women candidates, at least five per cent of their total nominees in the next national election, and a 10 per cent increment in each of the following elections, and continue this until women›s representation in the parliament touched a minimum 33 per cent.

At that time, he said, a constitutional amendment would omit the reserved women’s seats. ‘Parties may express their reservations.’

Earlier, the NCC vice-chair said the dialogue session would conclude today.

He said that today’s session would cover discussions on the election and power of the president, the composition of the upper house, proportional representation in the lower house, and other unresolved issues.

The NCP and Gano Adhikar Parishad, however, requested the NCC to extend the period of the dialogue to finalise the charter and its implementation procedures.

As part of finalising the July Charter, the NCC sent the list of reform proposals agreed by the majority of the parties during the first round of dialogue held between March 20 and May 19.

The list featured 62 reform points, mentioning the number of parties that agreed to the points.​