NCP to sign July Charter once implementation assured: Akhtar

Akhtar Hossain, Member Secretary of National Consensus Commission (NCC), said the July National Charter will be signed by the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) once there is assurance of its implementation. He added that if the government moves away from implementing the Charter and the amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO), it will indicate that the transfer of power discussed in the London meeting is under way.

Speaking to journalists after a three-hour meeting with the NCC at the National Parliament’s LD Hall on Saturday morning, October 25, Akhtar noted that the Charter’s implementation process was still unclear. The Commission told the NCP that a constitutional order is being drafted for the Charter, but the draft was not shown to the NCP leaders.

He said, “The Charter cannot be implemented by signature alone. If implementation is certain, we are willing to sign it. The Commission told us an order was being prepared, which we view as progress. But their unwillingness to present its contents leaves us un-assured.”

He added that the RPO amendments approved last Thursday include a provision that fugitive accused cannot contest elections, and alliance candidates must stand under their party’s symbol. The BNP and other aligned parties have raised objections to this rule, arguing they wish to contest under their own symbol, the sheaf of paddy.

The NCP, like Jamaat-e-Islami, supports election participation under the party symbol. In response to BNP objections, NCP’s Member Secretary said that he considers the amendments positive and has noticed that the BNP has shifted from its earlier stance after the RPO changes. While the law ministry is contemplating a stay application against the amendments, the law adviser is said not to be part of the process.

Akhtar remarked, “The mindset of applying to the law adviser to block the RPO amendments suggests the Government is functioning on behalf of some party through a special adviser. If any party causes the Government to deviate from the amendments, it will signify that the London meeting’s agenda for power-handover is being followed.”

He added that the NCP will not sign the Charter simply under pressure from any party; the NCC must ensure the Charter is not implemented as a token paper. The NCP has urged the NCC to ensure this.

The Member Secretary said a roadmap for reform will be published after concluding reform talks, after which the Government may proceed to elections. There is still time; if the Government wishes, it can complete preparations for a national referendum within this period.

Attending the meeting on the Commission side were Vice-Chair Ali Riaz, member Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, Justice E Md Haq, Dr Iftekhar Uzzaman, Ayub Mia and Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haydar. On the NCP side were Joint Convener Sarowar Tushar, Javed Rasin, Khaled Saifullah and Joint Member Secretary Zahirul Islam Musa.