BNP leader emphasizes prompt reforms and urges ordinance-based solutions to hold national polls within the year

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed has stated that there is no valid reason to delay the national election beyond December 2025. Emphasizing the need for timely reforms ahead of the polls, he asserted that the election can be held within the stipulated timeframe through consensus and the issuance of ordinances on matters not requiring constitutional amendments.

Speaking to reporters on Monday evening (June 2) following a dialogue organized by the National Consensus Commission at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, Salahuddin Ahmed explained his party's position. He was accompanied by two other BNP representatives: Ismail Zabihullah, a member of the Chairperson's Advisory Council, and Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajol, a former General Secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association.

"We attended this dialogue at the invitation of the Chief Adviser, who also serves as the Chairman of the National Consensus Commission," said Salahuddin Ahmed. "Chairpersons and members from various reform commissions, as well as senior national leaders from different political parties, were present at the meeting. Discussions were held regarding how and when the second phase of dialogue on reforms will proceed. We have conveyed our views clearly."

According to Salahuddin, the BNP informed the meeting that the reform commissions have already consumed a significant amount of time. He noted that his party had previously participated sincerely in discussions with the reform bodies, providing their opinions along with those of other political parties. These inputs were incorporated into the commissions’ reports.

"We offered our feedback on the comprehensive reports prepared by the reform commissions and reached consensus on many of the issues raised," he said. "Later, we also joined the dialogue sessions initiated by the National Consensus Commission in response to their call."

He acknowledged that disagreements would remain on some topics, stating that unanimity on every issue should not be expected. "Not every political party will agree on every detail, and we do not anticipate that either," Salahuddin remarked. "But for those matters where consensus is reached, it is sufficient to sign a joint declaration or charter before the formation of the next government. That incoming government can then place the agreed-upon matters before the National Parliament for approval."

Salahuddin stressed that issues not requiring constitutional amendments can be addressed promptly through ordinances. "If political consensus is achieved on these points, the government can issue ordinances within a month, facilitating a general election within December," he said.

The BNP leader reiterated the importance of implementing necessary reforms prior to the election, noting that the timeline allows for adequate action if political will is present.