NCC considers 'close to constitutional' order

The National Consensus Commission (NCC) is nearly certain to recommend that the government issue an order "close to constitutional," rather than a mere executive order, to implement the July Charter.

The commission is drafting recommendations that will outline the framework for holding a referendum, the referendum question, and how the next parliament would approve it with a special tax.

"The commission is considering sending a recommendation stating that the order reflects the will of the people expressed during the July uprising. It will not be a constitutional order, but its essence will be close to one and not a mere executive order," a commission source told The Financial Express.

The commission, whose tenure expires on October 31, held a marathon meeting on Thursday with members and experts to finalise its recommendations.

The government had earlier extended the commission's tenure for the third time by 15 days, as political parties remain divided over the implementation process.

The parties had agreed in principle to a referendum to approve political reforms, but now struggle to settle on its timing, particularly whether it should occur before or after the national elections scheduled for February next year.

The commission is also considering recommending a referendum on the charter itself, rather than the reforms, amid ongoing disagreements over dissent notes submitted by some parties.

At the meeting with experts, NCC Vice-Chair Prof Ali Riaz, members Badiul Alam Majumder and Justice Md Emdadul Haque, along with Monir Haider, special assistant to the Chief Adviser, attended on behalf of the commission.

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