National Consensus Commission member Dr. Badiul Alam Majumder. File photo

DHAKA, Aug 26, 2025 (BSS) - Shushasoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) Secretary and National Consensus Commission member Dr. Badiul Alam Majumder today said the success of the July National Charter depends on its implementation.

“There is widespread public opinion in favor of reforms. If political parties come out of the note of dissent and are sincere in implementing reforms, it will strengthen democracy and the trust of the people will be earned,” he said.

He said these at a citizen dialogue titled “Proposed July Charter and Citizen Thoughts” organized by Shujan at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital.

 Shujan acting president Justice MA Matin chaired the event while former Comptroller and Auditor General and Finance Secretary Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury, Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Manir Haidar, Senior Research Fellow of BIGD Dr. Mirza Hasan, Joint Editor of Dainik Prothom Alo Sohrab Hasan and Dhaka University teacher Dr. Asif Mohammad Sahan were present at the event. 

Ekram Hossain, a member of the national committee of Shujan presented the keynote paper in the programme. 

Badiul said the responsibility of implementing the July Charter lies with the government, political parties and the Election Commission. 

Muslim Chowdhury said that the best way to implement the National Charter is a referendum. It can also be passed in parliament by issuing a proclamation. However, he also questioned the rationality of forming an upper house.

Manir Haider said the parties' reluctance to represent women in parliament is disappointing. Although the commission proposed to nominate one-third of the seats to women, the political parties did not agree, he mentioned. 

However, he said that the progress the commission has made in six months is promising.

Asif Mohammad Sahan said that there are questions about how effective the July Charter will be in the referendum due to the huge number of votes of dissent.

Dr. Mirza Hasan said that although the citizens are the owners of the country, it is not in practice. 

He also mentioned that it would be very complicated to put so many reforms to the referendum at once.

Ekram Hossain said that Shujan has been working on the formulation of the National Charter since 2013. After 15 citizen dialogues and public opinion surveys, a draft has been prepared and submitted to the consensus commission, he said.