CA Yunus Appointed to Head New Commission Aimed at Building Political Consensus

 Published : 16 Dec 2024, 01:56 PM Updated : 16 Dec 2024, 01:56 PM 

The interim government has announced the creation of a National Consensus Commission, which will include the leaders of the six existing reform commissions.

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus shared this development in his address to the nation at 10 a.m. on Monday, delivered on Victory Day.

Yunus stated, "The interim government has established six reform commissions in its initial phase. I expect these commissions to submit their final reports soon. Now, we are taking the step to form a National Consensus Commission composed of the chairmen of these six bodies." He explained that the commission would engage with political parties and other stakeholders to identify shared priorities and develop recommendations for their implementation.

According to Yunus, the commission’s first priority will be to build consensus on critical decisions related to the general election and establish a tentative schedule for the polls.

Following the recent government transition, reform commissions were set up on October 3 to focus on various areas, including the electoral system, police, judiciary, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and public administration. These commissions were given 90 days to submit their reports to the government. Yunus noted that 15 commissions, including one focused on forced disappearances, have been formed to drive reforms across multiple sectors.

He emphasized, "The commission on forced disappearances submitted the first part of its report the day before yesterday. However, we cannot release it yet to ensure the safety of the victims’ families."

Yunus added a stark warning about the contents of the report, stating, "It is a horrific document that details unimaginable cruelty. Survivors of the previous government's oppression remain too fearful to speak about their experiences, fearing further retaliation. This report will serve as a historical record of a dark chapter in our nation’s recent past."

The chief advisor expressed hope that all reform commissions would continue to submit their reports and recommendations promptly, noting the vital role each plays in addressing public aspirations for reform. However, he placed special emphasis on the Electoral System Reform Commission and the Constitution Reform Commission, whose recommendations will directly influence the planning and timing of the next general election.

Yunus also highlighted the formation of a new Election Commission, which has now begun preparations to lay the groundwork for the next government. "They have a great deal of work ahead," he said.

Another key point addressed by Yunus was ensuring that expatriate Bangladeshis could participate in the upcoming elections. "We’ve heard assurances about this in the past, but we aim to implement it for the first time under this government. A dependable system must be established to make this possible."

Timing will be critical in ensuring these reforms are effectively implemented, Yunus said. "If people expect the electoral reform commission’s recommendations to be carried out, the Election Commission must be provided sufficient time."

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