The July Charter and election dates will be on the basis of National Consensus : Press Secretary

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has said it depends on the July charter whether the next national election will be held at the year-end or by June next year.

He shared the key recommendations from the Judicial and Public Administration Reform Commissions at a press briefing on Wednesday at the state guest house Jamuna after their reports were submitted to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.

Responding to a question on whether the government will take steps to implement these recommendations while political parties continue to call for elections, Shafiqul Alam said the Chief Adviser said the six major reform commissions’ recommendations would be reviewed by a consensus commission.

The Chief Adviser himself will head this commission, Prof Dr Ali Riaz will be Vice Chairman and the heads of the six commissions and its members, he said.

“After reviewing all reports, the consensus commission will hold discussions with political parties and civil society. A decision will then be made on which reforms need immediate action and which require constitutional amendments,” he said.

“Political parties will sign on the mutually agreed recommendations, forming the July Charter. Some recommendations will be implemented by the current government while others by the next. The election date—whether in December this year or by June next year—will depend on its implementation,” the press secretary added.

Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, Apurba Jahangir and Assistant Press Fayez Ahmed were also present at the briefing.