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Commission Vice-President Prof Ali Riaz said there was consensus on swiftly implementing reforms that could be carried out by ordinances or administrative orders of the interim government.

The charter, he said, reflected the views of all stakeholders, and parties had been asked to submit two names by tomorrow to sign it.

“The question now is whether consensus can be reached or a pathway established on the constitutional matters. We remain hopeful that progress is possible,” he added.

Of the 84 reform proposals agreed upon in the first two rounds of talks, some can be implemented through government orders or existing laws. But a significant portion requires constitutional amendments.

At the outset of yesterday’s talks, the commission presented parties with a document setting out possible implementation methods, based on consultations with parties and experts.

Earlier, political parties had suggested options such as a referendum on all or parts of the charter, a Special Constitutional Order by the president, a constituent assembly, enactment through the next parliament, designating parliament as a constitutional reform assembly, and seeking the Supreme Court’s opinion under article 106 of the constitution on the interim government’s authority.

Experts had recommended ordinance, executive order, referendum and constitutional order.

The BNP had proposed that all parties commit to the charter in their election manifestos, with the winner responsible for its implementation, including constitutional reforms, within two years of taking office.

The Jamaat-e-Islami had called for a “Provisional Constitutional Order,” effective from August 5, 2024, placing the charter above all existing laws.

The National Citizen Party and AB Party had demanded a constituent assembly, while Islami Andolan Bangladesh suggested a presidential proclamation.

Ganosamhati Andolan had called for a “Constitutional Reform Council”, implementation of constitutional matters within six months of the next government taking office, and full charter implementation within a year.

Rastroshongskar Andolon had sought election to a “Constitution Reform Convention/Assembly” along with parliamentary polls.

Several parties, including AB Party, Khelafat Majlish, Zaker Party and Gono Odhikar Parishad, support a referendum, while the Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist) backed one only if consensus emerged.

The Communist Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal and Gonoforum insisted that constitutional changes should be left to the next parliament.

Yesterday, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed dismissed other options as “generally unacceptable”, stressing that constitutional continuity must be preserved.

A constituent assembly, he argued, is only justified for drafting a new constitution or altering its basic structure. He also noted that a Provisional Constitutional Order, as in 1972, was relevant only when no constitution existed, while proclamations during Ziaur Rahman’s tenure merely suspended the constitution before being legitimised by parliament.

Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad countered Salahuddin’s argument, saying that the July uprising must take precedence over parliamentary continuity. “A legal foundation of the charter is essential; cosmetic reforms will not be enough,” he said, citing the 1970 Legal Framework Order and the 1977 referendum. He called for reforms through a constitutional order or referendum, arguing that the latter would give greater sustainability.

NCP Member-Secretary Akhter Hossen said constitutional amendments have often been struck down by courts while the 2024 uprising had created a structural break.

If reforms, especially those tied to the constitution, are merely incorporated into the existing framework, their implementation will depend on the goodwill of future governments, he said.

“Drafting a new constitution is the only viable path,” Akhter added.

The July Charter has sought firm commitments from political parties not to challenge its legality in court and to ensure safeguards at every stage of implementation. The commission has called for constitutional and state recognition of the people’s 16-year struggle for democracy, human rights and the rule of law, which culminated in the July uprising, and proposed that the charter itself be incorporated into the constitution.