United News of Bangladesh

Most political parties have agreed to a proposal limiting an individual’s tenure as prime minister to a maximum of 10 years in their lifetime, excluding three parties that had alternative views, said Junaid Saki, the chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon. He made the remarks while speaking to journalists on Sunday following the second phase of discussions held between political parties and the National Consensus Commission at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital. Jonaid Saki said, “There has been a discussion on how many terms a person can serve as prime minister. A proposal was placed suggesting that the prime minister could take oath a maximum of two times. The Election Reform Commission proposed that the prime minister's tenure should be two terms.” “Now, there is a complexity around the terms and the duration. ‘Term’ refers to a full five-year period or however long the parliament remains, while ‘two times’ could mean two appointments within the same term. This has led to discussions around defining the duration more clearly,” he added. 5-point demand: DMC students issue 24-hour ultimatum Saki explained, “A new proposal has been brought forward suggesting the prime minister's tenure be defined by years rather than terms. That is, a person may serve as prime minister for a maximum of 10 years in their lifetime. After this proposal was placed, we requested time for mutual discussions, and the National Consensus Commission approved it. Political parties have since discussed it.” “Except for three parties, most have agreed to the proposal that a person may serve as prime minister for a maximum of 10 years in their lifetime. The three parties have put forward alternative proposals.  Alongside these, there are other unresolved issues—such as the representation of women in parliament and the matter of direct elections, appointments to constitutional positions through a constitutional commission, formation of an upper house based on proportional representation and its powers, the balance between two houses, presidential elections and the balance of power between the president and prime minister—on which discussions have been held. Consensus has been reached on some points, while disagreements remain on others,” he said.  The Ganosamhati Andolon leader said, “We aim to reach as much consensus as possible through continued discussions on these matters. A follow-up meeting will be held next Wednesday.  However, through these talks, we are moving towards broader unity. If we can build further consensus, Bangladesh’s democratic reconstruction will advance in a meaningful way.”

Ganosamhati Andolan’s Chief Coordinator Junaid Saki has said that reforms and elections are intrinsically linked, stating that both are necessary for meaningful political change. "Just as there will be no elections without reforms, many reforms without elections will not be possible," Saki said during a public dialogue titled "Establishing a New Political Settlement for the Democratic Transformation of the State" at the Jatiya Press Club on Saturday. Saki stressed that the next election date should be determined through discussions involving all stakeholders and highlighted the need for a power structure rooted in accountability to the people. "The power of the future must be the power of accountability of the people," he said. Drive against polythene: Tk 29 lakh fine realised,  60,000kg polythene seized While Bangladesh has made significant progress over the last 53 years, justice for the country's people remains elusive, Saki bemoaned. He pointed out that the prolonged authoritarian style of governance has hindered progress, calling for structural changes to the 1972 Constitution. "The power has been going on in a fascist manner for so long, it has to be changed." 5 brickfields in Feni fined Tk 58 lakh; 2 others evicted Saki also underscored the importance of uniting people in the fight for democratic transformation and warned against divisive tactics. "Only if there is accountability of power, it is possible to establish the rule of law in society." Urging vigilance, he called on citizens to remain united in ensuring a democratic and just society. Political analysts and activists joined the event.

Coordinator of Ganasanghati Andolan Junaid Saki was injured  in an attack allegedly by some Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists at Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) Tuesday evening. He was attacked when he went to the hospital to visit people wounded in the deadly fire incident in Sitakunda container depot.  Several other leaders and activists of Ganasanghati Andolan were also injured in the attack.  Junaid Saki alleged that some BCL men attacked them after the visited the burnt injured at CMCH.  “We first visited fire-ravaged Sitakunda depot and later visited the wounded people at the hospital. At one stage, some BCL men attacked us leaving at least 20 leaders and activists of seven political parties injured,” he said. Two police personnel saved them but the rest police members remained inactive during the attack, he alleged. READ: Junaid Saki files contempt of court case against CEC  Junaid Saki is now undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the port city.  Bangladesh Gana Odhikar Parishad senior joint convener Rashed Khan was among the injured.  Denying the allegation, Chattogram city Chhatra League general secretary Zakaria Dastagir said BCL men were not involved in the incident.  

The High Court has issued a contempt of court rule against Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal for failure to register Ganasanghati Andolan as a political party despite its earlier order. The HC bench of Justice Mamnoon Rahman and Justice Khandaker Diliruzzaman passed the order on Thursday following a petition by Gonosonhoti Andolon chief coordinator Zonayed Saki. The HC also issued a rule to the government to explain as to why directives should not be given to take punitive action against CEC. Also read: Junaid Saki files contempt of court case against CEC Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua stood for Zunaid. On April 11, 2019, the HC passed an order to provide registration to Ganasanghati Andolan as a political party. But the Election Commission is yet to comply with the court order. On December 28, 2017, Ganasanghati Andolan filed a petition seeking registration for the party. “Despite having a clear order in this regard, the authorities concerned did not take any initiative yet,” said Jyotirmoy. Also read: President appoints former defence secretary Kazi Habibul Awal as the new CEC Zonayed filed a petition on February 10, seeking punitive action against the CEC.

Coordinator of Ganasanghati Andolan Junaid Saki on Thursday filed a contempt of court case against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda for not registering his organization as a political party following the High Court’s order. Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua filed the case on behalf of Saki at the HC seeking punishment against the CEC in this regard. On December 28, 2017 Ganasanghati Andolan sent an application to the EC for registering it as a political organisation to which the commission replied on June 19, 2018, in a letter saying it cannot be done. Also read: Search committee asks political parties to suggest names for CEC, ECs Followed by receiving the rejection letter Junaid Saki filed a writ petition at the HC in this regard. On April 11, 2019, The High Court ordered the organisation to complete the legal procedures to provide license to Gansanghati Andolan within 30 days. Even after receiving clear direction and order from the court the EC did not take any step in this regard within the provided deadline. On October 10, last year, after getting no results contacting the EC several times a legal notice was sent to CEC KM Nurul Huda. Also read: Gazette published fixing eligibility and ineligibility criteria for CEC, election commissioners Receiving no response even to the letter the case was filed today, said Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua.