Three-fourths of parties against holding PM, party chief positions concurrently

Nearly three-fourths of political parties and alliances have agreed on not holding the prime minister (PM) and party chief positions concurrently, National Consensus Commission (NCC) Vice-Chairman Prof Ali Riaz said.
Some political parties and alliances have expressed their disagreement on this issue. These parties and alliances would have the option to endorse a note of dissent in the national charter.
Prof Riaz made these remarks while briefing journalists after the 17th day of the second phase discussion of political parties with the NCC at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital on Tuesday.
Stating that all the political parties have agreed on the re-establishment of the caretaker government, he said further progress was achieved in Tuesday's discussion.
He said as per the decision of the meeting on July 20 to reorganise the caretaker government system at the initiative of the Election Commission, the NCC sent a revised and integrated set of proposals to all the parties.
The parties were asked to provide their opinions in view of the proposals. In response, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) presented its views, agreeing in principle with most of the NCC's proposals.
Prof Ali Riaz said consensus has not yet been established on the "ranked choice" method use. He expressed the hope that consensus can be reached on this issue through further discussion tomorrow (Thursday).
The NCC kept the provisions for appointment of the members of the Election Commission, PSC, Auditor General and Controller, ACC and Ombudsman for further discussion.
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