None is authorised to change basic structure of the constitution: Badiul Alam

Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, head of the Electoral System Reform Commission has said that even though none has the authority to change the basic structure of the Constitution, some inconsistencies in the current constitution need to be changed.

He made this comment at a discussion meeting titled 'How We Want Constitution' at the capital's press club on Saturday (November 16).

He said that the caretaker government will return only if the fifteenth amendment is repealed - the idea is wrong. Parliament will need to play a role in this. Constitution is not just for lawyers, it is for everyone.

Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar said that the constitution has been destroyed through various amendments. In particular, the Fifteenth Amendment has corrupted the Constitution by changing one-third.

Regarding the reserved seat, he said, women are taken to symbolic status here ad well as women are devalued. So reform is needed.

"Arrangements should be made to bring women to power through direct elections. If there are 400 seats, 100 should be allotted to women, that too through genuine election on the basis of eligibility."

Stating that it is possible to ensure people's participation through the establishment of people's rule, Badiul Alam said that accountability must be ensured at the grassroots level.

Kamal Hossain, head of the Media Reform Commission, said in the meeting that this constitution could not solve the political crisis in the past. Rather, the crisis increased.