BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday described the recommendation that the Reform Council should be automatically passed if it fails to clear within 270 days of the July certificate as “ridiculous.”

He made the remarks while briefing reporters after a meeting with the legal adviser, Dr Asif Nazrul, at the Secretariat.

According to the recommendation, if the Reform Council is not passed within 270 days under the July certificate, it will be automatically approved. This is laughable. Such automatic approval cannot exist in the Constitution. The National Consensus Commission has made this suggestion only to secure its approval. However, I hope the government will take a decision based on legal and constitutional considerations,” Salahuddin said.

Speaking on the discussions at the Consensus Commission, he added, “What was discussed in the Commission is not reflected in the recommendation. The Commission has taken steps to create discord. Attachments beyond the recommendation have been included, and there is no mention of a note of dissent.”

Salahuddin also addressed the recent amendment to the Representation of the People Order (RPO).

Under the current rules after the RPO amendment, if a political party joins an alliance with another party, it is obliged to contest the election under its own symbol. However, for the sake of multi-party democracy, the previous provision should be retained. Even if a party joins an alliance, it should be allowed to contest under its own symbol or that of another party in the alliance,” he said.

Expressing the hope that the next election will be held under an interim government, Salahuddin added, “It is too early to say whether the upcoming election will be conducted smoothly. However, I hope the next national parliamentary election will take place in accordance with legal and constitutional procedures.”