BNP chairperson Khakeda Zia has promised in the party's election manifesto, titled Vision 2030, that they will change several government policies, laws and constitutional provisions if the party comes to power.
Khaleda unveiled the 256-point manifesto at a press conference on Wednesday at a city hotel.
BNP leaders and activists are saying they are optimistic about participating in the upcoming national election, and the announcement of the manifesto was a positive move that will prepare the party for a potential early election.
Reading out the manifesto, Khaleda said BNP wants to bring an end to political and social divisions in the country by uniting the spirit of Bangladeshi nationalism.
“After coming to power in 2009, Awami League brought 15th and 16th amendment to the constitution through which the systems of referendum and caretaker government system during election was abrogated,” the BNP chief read from the manifesto.
Key points of BNP's Vision 2030
Several 'undemocratic' articles were incorporated into the constitution, she said, including holding parliamentary elections while keeping a current parliament alive, the impeachment of judges in parliament, and barring changes to parts of the constitution.
“BNP will review these articles and bring necessary reforms to the constitution,” she said.
Also Read- Watch: Khaleda Zia’s Vision 2030
Khaleda announced that her party would restore the provision of referendum in the constitution.
She said her party would implement the constitutional provision of an Ombudsman in order to ensure administrative accountability and transparency.
She also promised to limit the prime minister’s executive powers through a constitutional amendment if her party returns to power.Khaleda announced that her party would restore the provision of referendum in the constitution.
She said her party would implement the constitutional provision of an Ombudsman in order to ensure administrative accountability and transparency.
She also promised to limit the prime minister’s executive powers through a constitutional amendment if her party returns to power.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia presents her party's 256-point 'Vision 2030' at a Dhaka hotel on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 Photo:Rajib Dhar/Dhaka Tribune
Mentioning that the existing constitutional order vests all the executive powers of the republic unilaterally in the hands of the prime minister, she said this system is completely inconsistent with the recognised form of parliamentary system.
“Experiences in the recent times have made the country’s people realise that the monolithic executive authority of the prime minister has created an authoritarian dictatorship with a parliamentary facade. In order to bring an end to this situation, the executive power of the republic shall be balanced through appropriate constitutional amendment,” she said.
BNP will also repeal the Special Powers Act 1974 which gives the government broad powers of detainment and the notorious Section 57 of the IT Act which creates scope for persecution against content published online.
Vision 2030 also promises to amend Electricity and Energy Rapid Supply Increase Act 2010 after due examination. A national energy policy will also be formulated.
Her party will constitute a commission led by a retired justice to recommend a universally acceptable policy for print, electronic and online media.
BNP also promised to ensure fair justice and rule of law for the peoples through effective independence and neutrality of the judiciary. The lower courts will be freed from the control of the executives and a separate secretariat under the Supreme court will be control them.
She also promised that a jury system will be re-introduced to the lower judiciary on a pilot basis consisting of non-controversial, respectable, ethically correct and ideal persons to make the judicial process transparent, speedy, and acceptable.
“BNP shall remove all obstacles blocking free speech and freedom of thought of the people,” she said, adding that undemocratic sections of the ICT Act and the Cyber Security Act would be removed.
As part of the reforms of the constitutional arrangement, she said, it will be examined whether an upper house of the National Parliament can be established keeping the existing unitary character and structure of the constitution intact.
Double digit growth promised
The manifesto envisions Bangladesh as a modern and democratic high middle-income country by 2030 with per capita income of US$5,000.
To achieve this goal, Khaleda said, BNP will adopt creative and intelligent initiatives to boost the annual growth rate to a double-digit figure.
Education and health sectors will each get annual allocations at a rate of 5% of the GDP under a BNP government, she said.
VoIP and 4G services would be opened up. Students would be provided free WiFi at all public places. All educational institutions would be allowed to hold student union elections. Education will be made free up to graduation level for everyone, she said.
BNP will compile lists of true freedom fighters in a transparent manner, Khaleda said.
She also promised to completely uproot terrorism by forming national consensus against militancy, extremism and fundamentalism.
The BNP chief said her party wants to build a happy, prosperous, modern and self-respecting nation.
“BNP firmly believes that people should be there at the central stage of all national development. BNP has complied Vision 2030 to achieve the objectives of making Bangladesh a happy, prosperous, modern and self-respecting nation through uprooting the obstacles that thwart people’s genius efforts into enthusiasm and initiative,” she added.
Khaleda further said: “BNP aims to build a tolerant human, peace-loving, people’s welfare-oriented, social and economic justice-driven democratic and prosperous society ensuring participatory role of people belonging to all faiths, ethnic nationalities and upholding their thoughts, hopes and aspirations.”
Khaleda said BNP wants to bring an end to political and social divisions in the country by uniting the spirit of Bangladeshi nationalism.
Achieving the vision would be difficult but not impossible, Khaleda said at the conclusion of the manifesto, seeking support of the public and the development partners.
Senior leaders of BNP, leaders of the member parties of the 20-party Alliance, diplomats, academics and civil society members were present at the event. Awami League had refused to attend the event, BNP sources said.
BNP's key ally Jamaat-e-Islami was also conspicuously absent.
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