Prominent people have proposed to add various provisions to the constitution, including giving up the post of party chief if he becomes prime minister, re-voting if the vote is less than 51 percent, and recognizing all the nationalities of the country. These words came up in the meeting of stakeholders with the Constitution Reform Commission on Wednesday. Justice Iman Ali, Chakma Raja Debashish Roy and Professor Md. Rabiul Islam advises. Apart from this, 16 representatives of 9 organizations presented various proposals on behalf of the organization.
In the exchange of views, it was said on behalf of the University Teachers' Network that the current constitution of Bangladesh has a narrow concept of ethnicity based on Bengali identity. According to the teachers' union, the constitutional recognition of the identity of all the nationalities in the territory of the country should be given. Apart from this, the organization has proposed to include gender identities other than men and women in the constitution. The network proposes to cancel the article 7 (b) of the current constitution which criminalizes discussion of constitutional amendments. Their proposal also asked to amend Article 70 of the Constitution.
Kazi Maruful Islam, a member of the University Teachers' Network and a professor in the Development Studies Department of Dhaka University, told Ajker newspaper that they have proposed a two-chamber parliament and a four-year term for the prime minister. He also said that the provision has also been asked to add that the Prime Minister cannot remain the head of his own party after taking charge of his post.
Research institute Center for Governance Studies (CGS) has opined that only if more than 51 percent of voters vote in an election, it will be valid. Apan Zahir, a member of the organization, said this.
The Amalgamated Garment Workers' Federation has proposed adding a provision in the constitution to implement the provision of equal rights for women and men. President of the organization Najma Akhtar told Ajker newspaper, “The increasing participation of businessmen in the Parliament is having its effect now. They are now going to jail, which is affecting the industry. Workers are not getting paid. So we want a balanced parliament. I have proposed to keep the provision that a prime minister cannot serve more than two consecutive terms. I have proposed to have equal opportunities for working in the informal economy including the national minimum wage, Dalits.
'Mayer Dak', an organization of relatives of missing victims, has proposed to increase the scope of fundamental rights. Convener Sanjida Islam Tuli said, amendment or reform of the constitution is for democracy and human rights. In past times people did not have basic rights. So that the issue of fundamental rights is brought clearly. I have proposed to keep the provision so that the judiciary can perform its duties properly. The separation of the functions of the Executive and the Legislature and the jurisdiction of each should be clearly mentioned in the Constitution.
Akhtar Hossain Khan of Newspaper Owners Association of Bangladesh (NOWAB), Professor Mirza Taslima and Professor Kazi Maruful Islam of University Teachers Network, Sanjida Islam Tuli and Mushfiqur Rahman Johan of Mae Dak, Center for Governance Studies were among the 16 representatives of 9 organizations present in the exchange. (CGS) Roman Uddin and Apan Zaheer, Dalit Women's Forum Tamanna Singh Baraik And Pooja Rani, Nadira Parveen and Sultan Md. of civic initiative. Salahuddin Siddique, Jaya Shikder and Sudeep Kumar Das of Kuttara, Bangladesh Judicial Service Association. Junaid and Mohammad Millat Hossain and Najma Akhter of Combined Garments Workers Federation.
On behalf of the Constitution Reform Commission, its head Professor Ali Riaz, Commission member Professor Sumaiya Khair, Barrister Imran Siddique, Professor Mohammad Ikramul Haque, Barrister M Moin Alam Ferozi, Feroze Ahmed and Md. Mustain Billah.
