NCP opposes altering the country's name but supports modifications to fundamental principles

NCP’s Position on Constitutional Reforms

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has opposed the Constitutional Reform Commission’s proposal to change the country’s name. However, the party supports replacing nationalism, socialism, and secularism with ‘equality, human dignity, social justice, pluralism, and democracy’ as the constitution’s fundamental principles. Additionally, the NCP has emphasized the need for a clear definition of pluralism.

On March 23, the NCP submitted its written response on the recommendations of five reform commissions, including the Constitutional Reform Commission, to the National Consensus Commission. Among the 166 key recommendations, the party fully endorsed 113 and partially agreed with 29.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) also submitted its opinion on the same day, highlighting significant differences between the two parties. While the BNP opposes altering the constitution’s core principles, the NCP supports such changes. Additionally, the BNP prefers maintaining a five-year parliamentary term, whereas the NCP backs the Reform Commission’s proposal to reduce it to four years. Another point of divergence is that while the BNP rejects the proposal that a political party leader cannot simultaneously be the parliamentary leader, the NCP holds a contrasting view.

The NCP has proposed a mixed electoral system, maintaining the current seat-based system in the lower house (parliament) while advocating for proportional representation in the upper house (National Assembly). Under this model, if a party secures 35% of the national vote, it would receive 35 seats in the National Assembly, with voters casting a single ballot.

The Constitutional Reform Commission also recommended conducting all local government elections under the direct supervision of the Election Commission and establishing a Local Government Commission consisting of a Chief Local Government Commissioner and four commissioners. While the NCP opposes these provisions, it supports implementing other reforms through either a Constituent Assembly election or a hybrid model where an elected Constituent Assembly transitions into a legislature after drafting the constitution.

Commenting on the party’s position, Sarwar Tushar, Coordinator of the NCP Reform Coordination Committee and Joint Convener, told Prothom Alo on Thursday: “We agree with many of the Reform Commission’s recommendations. However, our key difference with the BNP is that they believe an elected parliament has the authority to introduce fundamental constitutional changes, while we maintain that such changes should be made by an elected Constituent Assembly.”

Key NCP Stances on Reform Recommendations

• Parliamentary Term Reduction: Supports reducing the term from five to four years.

• Fundamental Principles: Backs replacing nationalism, socialism, and secularism with equality, human dignity, social justice, pluralism, and democracy.

• Definition of Pluralism: Proposes a precise definition as a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-lingual, and multicultural nation.

• Electoral System: Advocates for a proportional representation system in the National Assembly while retaining the seat-based system in parliament.

• Leadership Roles: Agrees that a lower house member should not simultaneously serve as Prime Minister, Leader of Parliament, and head of a political party. However, the Prime Minister and Leader of Parliament can be the same person but should not head the cabinet, instead serving as ‘First Among Equals’ among ministers.

• National Constitutional Council (NCC): Supports the formation of an NCC comprising representatives from all three branches of the state, including the President and Prime Minister. Suggests that constitutional appointments, such as the Chief Election Commissioner, should require a two-thirds NCC majority approval.

• Interim Government: Proposes that the NCC function as the election-time administration, with one of its members—excluding the President and previous Prime Minister—serving as Chief Adviser. Recommends a tenure of 70–75 days for this interim government.

• Presidential Election: Supports electing the President through a majority vote of the District Coordination Council.

This structured approach reflects the NCP’s position on key constitutional reform issues while outlining its major points of agreement and disagreement.