NCP Urges Government to Adopt First Draft of July Charter Implementation Order

NCP Calls for Legal Foundation of the July Charter

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has urged the government to officially adopt Proposal 1, the first draft of the July Charter Implementation Order recommended by the National Consensus Commission, to give the charter legal standing.

Speaking at a press conference at the NCP headquarters in Banglamotor, Dhaka, on 29 October 2025, NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary emphasized that the party’s firm stance on the legal legitimacy of the July Charter has been instrumental in pushing the issue forward.

“We believe that this progress was possible thanks to the NCP’s unwavering position to ensure the legal foundation of the July Charter,” Nasiruddin said.

Three Key Appeals to the Government

At the press conference, Nasiruddin outlined three major appeals on behalf of the party:

1. Adopt Proposal 1 of the July Charter Implementation Order to ensure its legal foundation.
2. Initiate and publish a constitutional reform bill in line with the Consensus Commission’s recommendations.
3. Recognize that adopting the draft order would pave the way for progress toward the formal signing of the July Charter.

He added that the NCP appreciates the commission’s “sincere efforts” and urged the interim government to implement the recommendations without delay.

“The NCP believes that the government should proceed with Proposal 1, as Clause 8(e) of that proposal ensures that if the Constitutional Reform Council fails to complete its work within the stipulated time, the reform bill will automatically be deemed adopted and come into force as law,” Nasiruddin explained.

Proposal 1 vs Proposal 2: Key Differences

According to Nasiruddin, Proposal 1 contains a vital safeguard ensuring the binding implementation of the referendum mandate on the July Charter— a principle widely seen in many democratic systems.

“This clause is essential to guarantee that the July Charter reforms are not left hanging due to procedural delays,” he said.

However, he warned that Proposal 2 lacks such provisions, which could undermine the entire reform process and weaken public confidence in the charter’s implementation.

NCP Suggests Linguistic Corrections to Strengthen the Draft

While endorsing Proposal 1, Nasiruddin pointed out certain linguistic ambiguities that should be corrected to avoid misinterpretation.

He explained:

“Clause 8(a) should clearly state that the next elected parliament shall exercise the structural authority over constitutional reform, not may. Similarly, the phrase ‘will consider’ in Clause 8(d) regarding the reform bill creates uncertainty that needs clarification.”

He added that refining these clauses would make the document more precise and enforceable in legal and parliamentary terms.

NCP’s Continued Commitment to Reform

Nasiruddin reaffirmed that the NCP remains committed to ensuring the legal enforceability and democratic legitimacy of the July Charter through constitutional reform and referendum-backed validation.

“We appreciate the commission’s efforts, but the government must now act decisively to implement the recommendations,” he urged.

He concluded by emphasizing that legal clarity, transparency, and adherence to the public mandate are essential for meaningful political reform in Bangladesh.