Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman has emphasised the importance of establishing a balance of power between the president and the prime minister in the country’s political system.
"I am not a constitutional expert, but based on my experience, I believe the balance of power between the president and the prime minister is essential for effective governance,” General Waker said in a recent exclusive interview with Prothom Alo.
The army chief also expressed his hope that the military could be placed under the president’s jurisdiction.
General Waker acknowledged that, over the past five decades, political parties have failed to implement significant reforms, contributing to the current state of affairs. He pointed out that despite past promises, political parties had not followed through with reforms once they came to power. However, he noted that the present moment offers a unique opportunity to push for these necessary changes.
“While political parties have promised reforms in the past, they have not delivered once in power. But now, we are all working together with the politicians, and they must realise that these reforms are crucial for everyone,” General Waker stated.
According to a report by Amar Desh on Saturday (4 January), the Election Reform Commission is preparing to propose several significant changes, including the direct election of the president by the people and a two-term limit for the prime minister. Additionally, the proposal suggests that the same individual should not hold both the position of prime minister and party leader simultaneously. Other key recommendations include the introduction of a bicameral parliamentary system and amendments to Article 70 of the constitution.
