Head of the Electoral Reform Commission and member of the National Consensus Commission, Badiul Alam Majumdar, has said that a 'National Charter' will be formulated based on the opinions of political parties as their commitments will be incorporated in it while a national consensus will be created based on this national charter, reports BSS.
"It is possible to establish consensus among the political parties by agreeing on the proposals sent by the Consensus Commission. There is nothing wrong with having differences of opinion in a democracy, it can be there. But at the same time, it is important to reach consensus on some basic issues," he told BSS in an interview recently.
Majumdar added: "This is a very important issue. Now we have that opportunity and a great moment. We have to rise above the small issues of the past on which our differences of opinion have become big. I am optimistic about this."
He hoped the 'National Charter' will play an important role in making the democratic system sustainable and effective. Through it, the political parties will express their opinions and by formulating that National Charter, they will express their commitment, he said.
"I think this will be an important milestone in the history of the democratic system of the country," he added.
Regarding ensuring a sustainable democratic system, Majumdar, also secretary of Citizens of Good Governance (SHUJON), said if political parties commit to making the democratic system effective and do what needs to be done at the same time, then the democratic system will be effective.
Out of the 11 reform commissions formed by the interim government, six have already submitted their recommendations.
"These have been shared with the political parties. If the democratic system is to be implemented, then our politicians will have to take the main responsibility. Because politicians will form the government through elections and run the state," he said.
Therefore, they will have to play the primary role in making the democratic system effective and along with this, of course, civil society will also have to play a role, he added.
At the same time, if citizens also play the role of vigilant watchmen, then it will be easy, he observed.
"What we, the Consensus Commission, have tried to do is - we have sent the recommendations made by the six reform commissions to the political parties. We want the political parties to give their opinions whether they agree with them, disagree with them or partially agree with them. They should tell us in what process the issues they agree on will be implemented," he said.
In the past, political parties have made many promises to the nation, but in many cases they have not kept those promises, he said, adding that there are various reasons for not being able to keep the promises.
"This time, we are optimistic, because there was so much bloodshed, so many people lost their lives, so many people were injured and were subjected to oppression in various ways. This has created a different context. In this different context, a strong desire has been established among our political parties and all citizens," said Majumdar.
He hoped that the situation will be different this time as political parties will implement their promises after coming to power.
He expresses his belief that the most important thing is to ensure a fair and impartial election, because through elections, the people have the opportunity to show the red card, that is, if political parties have to return to the people every five years, then if the people can tell them 'no', if they can show them the red card, then they will run the government in the interests of the people and based on the opinions of the people.
