Consensus Commission will not impose decisions: Ali Riaz

The National Consensus Commission (NCC) will not impose any decisions unilaterally but will instead act on the collective will of political parties, said Commission Vice-Chairman Professor Ali Riaz on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters after the commission resumed dialogue with political parties at the Foreign Service Academy, Prof Riaz emphasized that the NCC’s role is to facilitate agreement and implementation of reforms outlined in the July Charter.

“The cooperation the commission has received so far from all political parties has been remarkable,” said Prof Riaz. “Almost every party has made concessions from its original positions, which is a strong indication of the spirit of consensus.”

He noted that preliminary agreements have already been reached on 84 issues, calling it a “critical step forward” in shaping Bangladesh’s future.

“The success of implementing reforms in these areas will determine Bangladesh’s future trajectory,” Prof Riaz added.

Some of the proposed reforms will be executed by the interim government, while others will be taken up by elected representatives after the next general election. Prof Riaz stressed that the commission will consult an expert panel to determine which reforms can be immediately implemented.

“The commission will not dictate actions for elected representatives after polls,” he clarified.

Ahead of Thursday’s session, the NCC reviewed expert opinions and feedback from political parties regarding implementation strategies. The review followed an extensive expert meeting held on September 7 to finalize the charter and assess methods for its execution.

In addition to formal sessions, the commission has held multiple informal consultations with political parties and alliances in recent weeks.