The BNP has raised concerns that implementing some recommendations from the National Consensus Commission could weaken future governments by granting undue power to unelected individuals.

Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir outlined the party's views on the reform recommendations at a press conference at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office yesterday.

The party will submit its opinions on key recommendations to the National Consensus Commission today.

Earlier, its standing committee met on Thursday to discuss the matters.

Reading from a statement at the press conference, Fakhrul said, "The state of the National Consensus Commission's spreadsheet, along with various statements from commission members and certain political parties, raises questions about whether these recommendations are part of a pre-planned initiative, making it difficult to determine if they truly serve the interests of democracy."

Referring to the recommendations of the constitution and electoral reform commissions, the party observed it is "evident that there is an unjustifiable attempt to appoint unelected individuals to state positions, which is unwarranted".

Fakhrul criticised the recommendation to establish new commissions, including a National Constitutional Council, arguing that the descriptions of these commissions' jurisdictions and functions indicate a clear intention to undermine and limit the powers of the executive and legislative branches as much as possible.

"This will ultimately result in a weak and ineffective government system."

He also raised concerns regarding the consensus commission's spreadsheet.

"Instead of presenting the proposals directly, they are framed as leading questions. For example, the spreadsheet asks, 'Do you support implementing the proposals through a constituent assembly? Answer yes or no.' But the question of whether or not we agree on the concept of a constituent assembly should come first."

Fakhrul also noted that while the constitution reform commission's recommendations include crucial constitutional matters, such as the "preamble", these were not mentioned in the consensus commission's spreadsheet.

"While around 70 proposals are mentioned in the spreadsheet, the main report contains nearly 123 recommendations. Similarly, the electoral reform commission's main report has about 150 recommendations, but the spreadsheet lists only 27, most of which are related to constitutional reforms.

"Therefore, we believe that attaching our opinions on the main recommendations [on the spreadsheet] will help avoid confusion."

Alleging that certain interim government advisers are involved in political activities, Fakhrul said, "The involvement of some advisers in the formation of political parties, directly or indirectly, has raised public doubts. Signs of administrative machinery being used for this process are becoming increasingly evident, which is not good for democracy."

Responding to a reporter, he said, "We're responding to each spreadsheet entry -- where a 'yes' is needed, we are giving a 'yes', we are marking it accordingly. Where a separate statement is necessary, we're providing our own remarks. This is how we are cooperating fully."

Fakhrul suggested, "A 'Charter of Reform' can be formulated based on political consensus, which an elected government can implement later.

"Only an elected government -- accountable to the people and committed to justice and good governance -- can successfully make meaningful reforms."

The primary responsibility of the interim government, he added, should be implementing necessary reforms through consensus, organising a free, fair, and credible national election as soon as possible, and handing over power to an elected government.