Mohiuddin Alamgir

EC cites emblem rules; NCP warns it won’t join polls without desired symbol

Most of the political parties have signed the much-discussed and long-awaited July National Charter -- a landmark document towards reshaping Bangladesh’s democracy and its institutions.

Most of the political parties have signed the much-discussed and long-awaited July National Charter

The July National Charter, forged in the wake of the 2024 mass uprising, seeks to reshape Bangladesh’s constitution, as it proposes extensive reforms aimed at strengthening democracy and accountability.

The July National Charter, born out of a compact among political parties, proposes a raft of constitutional reforms to reinvigorate Bangladesh’s parliament, which has remained weak and failed to function as an effective check on executive authority.

Very few topics in Bangladesh’s political discourse have sparked as much debate or endured as long as the caretaker government system. To many, it represents not just a procedural framework but also a reliable means of conducting free and fair elections.

Reforms ahead of the national election have been the most consistent pledge of the interim government. One of the core reforms, apart from reviving the caretaker government system, is to bring about a balance of power between the prime minister and the president.

It will require at least a dozen new laws and amendments to eight existing ones to implement the raft of proposals made in the July National Charter.