The BNP has proposed including a referendum requirement for amending two additional articles of the Constitution, alongside the provision for the caretaker government system, according to Salauddin Ahmed, Chairman of the Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment and Minister of Home Affairs.

He stated that the relevant articles have been proposed to be brought under the purview of a referendum to prevent any future parliament from amending these provisions unilaterally.

Salauddin Ahmed made these remarks to journalists on Sunday (September 27) following the third meeting of the special committee on constitutional amendment at the National Parliament.

Editors of national dailies, representatives of various journalist forums, and prominent journalists attended the meeting.

Opinions and proposals regarding various aspects of constitutional amendment were gathered from them.

The committee chairman noted that many participants indicated they would submit their proposals in writing.

Salauddin Ahmed stated, "Editors of national dailies, representatives of various journalist forums, and prominent journalists participated in today's exchange meeting. They provided opinions and proposals ranging from the preamble of the Constitution to various articles and schedules. They have also been asked to submit written proposals. These opinions will be discussed within the committee and incorporated into the final report."

Regarding the participation of the opposition, he said, "We have repeatedly called upon them and continue to do so. Whenever they join this committee, we will welcome them. All the statements you have, will be discussed. Based on discussions, whatever is acceptable, we will adopt it on the basis of consensus. It would have been better had they participated in the discussions. Then we could have incorporated many of the issues raised by their party."

He added, "We want to have differing sides among us, but not division. We will implement the July National Charter exactly as we signed it. Beyond that, issues that did not come up in discussions or were left out, we want to adopt on the basis of consensus as well."

Regarding the priority of the July National Charter and the BNP's election manifesto, Salauddin stated,

"The priority is the July National Charter. However, we will also incorporate the issues for which we received a mandate according to our election manifesto."

Regarding the referendum, he said, "There is a constitutional obligation for a referendum when amending certain specific articles of the Constitution. The BNP had proposed bringing the caretaker government system provision along with two other articles under the purview of a referendum, so that if any future parliament wants to change these provisions, it must obtain the approval of the people."

He further said, "Since we have agreed on the caretaker government method, we will adopt it. If any future parliament attempts to change it through an amendment, it should have to go to a referendum; it was agreed to include these two [articles] along with the existing four provisions. This was a proposal from the BNP."

Salauddin informed that after the constitutional amendment bill is passed in parliament, for the articles requiring a referendum, the referendum will be held before the President's assent.

Regarding the special committee's report, he said, "We are making strenuous efforts to present our report to parliament by December. In that case, based on this report, a bill will be introduced by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. I hope the bill will be introduced in the January session, which is the first session of the year."