Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote coordinator and NPP (National People's Party) Chairman Fariduzzaman Farhad has warned that an unelected government remaining in power for an extended period could lead to serious challenges for the country, report agencies.
Speaking at the launch of a dialogue with the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of the National Parliament building on Saturday, he emphasised free and fair elections.
"We are committed to ensuring people's voting rights and establishing a government elected by the people," he said.
"What we expect from him [Muhammad Yunus] is to arrange an election so transparent that people can say: after 15 long years, we finally had a vote free from force or vote-buying-where I exercised my right and helped form a government."
"It is also true," he added that, "if an unelected government stays in power too long, it creates many problems."
The Consensus Commission is working to finalise the unified recommendations from the state reform panels and foster political consensus. It has gathered input from 39 political parties on key proposals across five reform reports and is holding follow-up discussions.
Farhad noted that Samamona Jote agreed with 112 out of the commission's 166 proposals, disagreed with 26, and partially agreed with 28.
"We fully support all proposals regarding the Anti-Corruption Commission," he said. "We are committed to doing whatever it takes to establish democracy."
Commission Vice-Chairman Ali Riaz, speaking at the start of the discussion, said the body has until July 15 to draft a national charter following consultations with all parties.
"We've received support from all political parties in this effort," Riaz said. "We aim to create a national charter within six months.
Ali Riaz expressed optimism that political parties and alliances will compromise to help carry out reforms and establish a truly democratic system in Bangladesh.
"All political parties and alliances are expected to make some compromises in the interest of the nation, state reforms and the establishment of a democratic system. We have all come together in this effort," he said.
Commission members Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, Safar Raj Hossain, and Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Monir Haider were also present at the discussion.
The national unity which has been created through the July movement is crucial for the nation's progress, he said.
"We must come together-not necessarily to agree on everything, but to reach consensus on key issues essential to reforming the state and establishing democracy," Ali Riaz added.
A 13-member delegation from the Jatiyatabadi Somomona Jote participated in the dialogue, led by its coordinator Advocate Dr Fariduzzaman Farhad.
On March 20 last, the Consensus Commission opened a series of talks with political parties to forge a national consensus on state reform initiatives.
The commission has already held talks with different political parties, including BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party (NCP).
Formed on February 15, 2025 under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, the Commission was tasked with shaping a unified national stance on critical reforms.
