A referendum would be required in the future if any government plans to amend the caretaker government system once it is reincorporated in the constitution, said National Consensus Commission Vice-Chair Prof Ali Riaz today.
He made the remark at a press briefing held in the afternoon to raise the outcomes of the 14th day of the second phase of reform talks with political parties at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.
Prof Riaz said there is no disagreement among political parties over the restoration of the caretaker government system. That’s why the provision for a referendum has been proposed for any future changes to this system.
He expressed the hope that a consensus would be achieved over the appointment of the chief of the caretaker government by the next week.
Noting that the discussion reached decisions regarding some issues related to the constitutional amendments, he said if the upper house is not formed or until it is not formed, constitutional amendments will require a majority vote in the existing parliament.
But, amendments to specific provisions of the constitution—such as the preamble, the fundamental principles of the state, Articles-48, 56, 142, and the caretaker government system related Articles 58B, 58C, 58D and 58E—would require a referendum, he added.
Representatives from some 30 political parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, Gano Odhikar Parishad, Ganasamhati Andolon, CPB, Revolutionary Workers Party and AB Party, attended Tuesday’s discussion.
Commission members Justice Md Emdadul Haque, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, Safar Raj Hossain and Dr Md Ayub Miah were present in the discussion moderated by Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haidar.
MSH
