JS session on Sept 10 with polls reform fate uncertain

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The Jatiya Sangsad that goes into session on September 10 will decide whether the much-talked issue of reforms in the caretaker government system and Election Commission will be resolved during the tenure of the alliance government or left for the caretaker government.
President Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday summoned the 23rd session of parliament, which is likely to be the last session before its tenure expires on October 27. For the first time in last 15 years, the current parliament is likely to

witness the presence of the main opposition in its concluding session.

Leader of the Opposition Sheikh Hasina on February 12 this year placed a set of proposals in parliament for reforms in the caretaker government system, Election Commission and the electoral laws.

Responding to the reform proposals, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on February 28 proposed to form a committee comprising the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties.

But the proposed committee to deal with the reforms issue has not been formed yet despite exchange of letters between the ruling BNP and main opposition Awami League (AL) while many political analysts see no sign of resolving the reforms issue at this moment.

LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan however said the issue of reforms first have to be settled outside parliament though discussion.

“After discussing the issue at the proposed committee it may be placed in parliament, if necessary,” Bhuiyan, also the ruling BNP secretary general, told reporters yesterday. “For this, Awami League will have to sit in dialogue with the ruling alliance.”

If the reform agenda is not resolved during the tenure of the current parliament, the caretaker government will have to promulgate ordinance if it wants to bring any reform.

Meanwhile, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Abdul Hamid yesterday told The Daily Star that their joining the upcoming session of parliament depends on the government’s attitude.

“We placed in parliament our proposals for reforms and continued participation in the parliamentary proceedings. But the government has been showing negative attitude towards our proposals,” Hamid said, adding, “Possibility of joining the next session is little unless the government responds positively.”

Hamid, who is also a former speaker of parliament, however, said the party high command and the parliamentary party will decide on whether the AL will join the next session.

The government policymakers have been repeatedly urging the main opposition to sit in a dialogue to settle the issue of reform agenda.

The next session of the current parliament will be a short one due to the Ramadan. However, the Business Advisory Committee will sit prior to beginning of the session to decide the duration and allocate the business of the session.

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