Political parties agree on presidential pardon, judicial decentralisation: Ali Riaz

Political parties have agreed on constitutional reforms on presidential pardon and the decentralisation of the judiciary, said Professor Ali Riaz, vice-chairman of the National Consensus Commission.

He made the remarks during a media briefing on Thursday (July 3) following the ninth day of the second phase of dialogue between the Commission and political parties, held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

Commission members Justice Md Emdadul Haque, Safar Raj Hossain, Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, Dr Md Ayub Mia, and Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Monir Haider were also present.

Professor Riaz stated that political parties unanimously agreed on the need to reform Article 49 of the Constitution, which grants the President the power to pardon. "There has been widespread misuse of presidential clemency in the past. Parties now realize that this power must be regulated," he said.

The proposed amendment reads: "The President shall have the power to grant pardon, deferment and respite of any sentence passed by any court, tribunal or other authority and to remit, suspend or reduce any sentence. However, this power shall be exercised in accordance with the criteria, principles, and procedures laid down by law."

Riaz expressed optimism that this political consensus will eventually be reflected in the Constitution, ensuring the President's  authority is no longer misused for political or personal gains.

On judicial decentralization, the Commission proposed a major change to Article 100 of the Constitution. Instead of temporary circuit benches, there will be permanent High Court benches in each administrative division, while the Supreme Court’s main seat will remain in the capital.

Representatives from 30 political parties, including the BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Gono Odhikar Parishad, Gono Sanghati Andolan, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Biplobi Workers Party, and AB Party, took part in the day’s discussions.

The Commission has scheduled the next round of discussions for July 7.