Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has voiced opposition to the Constitutional Reform Commission's proposal to reduce the tenure of the National Parliament and the President from five years to four. The party insists on maintaining the current five-year term.
Following a break in discussions with the National Consensus Commission at the Parliament's LD Hall on Saturday (April 26), Jamaat's Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher conveyed their stance to reporters.
Dr Taher stated, "The commission proposed that the terms for both Parliament and the President be limited to four years. We disagreed and emphasised that the five-year term should remain unchanged."
However, Jamaat agreed with the proposal to introduce a bicameral parliamentary system.
"We support the idea of a bicameral parliament," Dr Taher added. "But discussions are ongoing regarding its structure, characteristics, and formation process."
He further noted that Jamaat-e-Islami's representatives and the National Consensus Commission are engaged in a detailed exchange of views, reviewing five different reports submitted by the commission. "The discussions have been productive," Dr Taher said. "We have deliberated on various issues, clarified positions, and found common ground on several points."
Acknowledging the complexity of the topics under review, he mentioned that the discussions might not conclude today. "These matters are crucial to the national interest," Dr Taher stressed. "As a major political stakeholder, Jamaat-e-Islami is approaching all proposed reforms with great seriousness. Our primary focus is not on individual or party interests but on the future of Bangladesh, its people, and the vision of a prosperous and peaceful nation."
The meeting was moderated by Monir Haider, Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor. Attending on behalf of the National Consensus Commission were Vice President Professor Ali Riaz, and members Safar Raj Hossain, Justice Emdadul Haque, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, and Dr Iftekharuzzaman.
Representing Jamaat-e-Islami were Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Porwar, Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan, Dr Hamidur Rahman Azad, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Central Executive Council Member Saiful Alam Khan Milon, and Advocate Matiur Rahman Akand, Secretary of Jamaat's Central Publicity and Media Division.
