Website launched to gather citizens' opinions

Ali Riaz, head of the Constitutional Reform Commission, has announced the launch of a website aimed at gathering public views and suggestions on the potential changes.

The platform will be available to citizens starting Tuesday, Riaz said a press conference at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. But the commission will not engage directly with political parties on reform recommendations.

"We will reach out to parties, requesting written feedback and specific proposals," he said. "It is the government's role to discuss these recommendations with the political parties. However, the commission will carefully review all written proposals and consider incorporating them where relevant."

The commission plans to engage constitutional experts, lawyers, civil society members, professional organisations, young thinkers, and cultural representatives.

Written input will be sought from representatives of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, with discussions with these groups expected to start next week.

Riaz said that the commission would not solicit input from the ousted Awami League and its affiliates.

In his words, those involved in, or supportive of, violent or oppressive actions during the July-August student protests would not be included in the reform process.

The interim government initiated these reforms, including constitutional changes, following the Sheikh Hasina government's collapse on Aug 5 amid student protests.

Originally led by the lawyer Shahdeen Malik, the commission is now headed by Riaz, who has previously advocated for rewriting the constitution.
The commission has been tasked with reviewing the country's constitution and producing recommendations that will ensure it is 'representative of the people' and 'fosters effective democracy'.

According to Riaz, the scope of these reforms may involve amendments, additions, deletions, restructuring, and even a full rewriting of the constitution to align with public aspirations.

Mahfuz Alam, special assistant to the Chief Advisor and a student representative on the commission, expressed confidence that this government would lead the reform process.

Other commission members in attendance included Sumaiya Khair, Imran Siddique, Mohammad Ekramul Haque, Sharif Bhuiyan, M Moin Alam Firozi, and Md Mustain Billah.