BNP proposes 10-year ceiling on PM's tenure, initiation of Vice President post

BNP has proposed limiting the tenure of the Prime Minister to a maximum of 10 years and introducing the post of Vice President, if it comes to power in the next general elections.

The proposals were outlined in the party's election manifesto unveiled on Friday ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman formally announced the manifesto at a programme at Hotel Sonargaon in the capital.

According to the manifesto, the party also plans to introduce an upper house of Parliament, ensure the post of deputy speaker is held by a member of the opposition, and reserve 20% of seats in the upper house for women.

Under the section on state system reform, the manifesto states that "full trust and faith in Almighty Allah" will be restored in the Constitution as a fundamental principle of state governance.

The BNP pledged to implement the July National Charter by repealing what it described as undemocratic constitutional amendments and carrying out reforms based on its previously announced 31-point agenda.

Key commitments include maintaining the caretaker government system, creating the post of Vice President, limiting the Prime Minister's tenure to 10 years, balancing state power, ensuring judicial independence, introducing a bicameral parliament, amending Article 70, guaranteeing transparency in international agreements, forming an independent election commission and reforming constitutional institutions.

The manifesto also reiterated the party's commitment to preventing what it termed the recurrence of fascism and tyranny, establishing social justice, eliminating discrimination and restoring voting as the sole legitimate source of state power.

It further pledged accountability at all levels of the state, freedom of the media and expression and the development of a new political culture free from revenge and vendetta.

Putting emphasis on national unity, the manifesto stated that nation-building goes beyond administering the state and requires overcoming divisions to build a unified national entity.

"Ending political and social divisions on the basis of Bangladeshi nationalism, we have one identity - we are all Bangladeshis, regardless of religion, region or economic status," the manifesto said, adding that people of all communities would work together to build a unified nation.

The BNP also promised to form a "Truth and Healing Commission" to address past political grievances and promote reconciliation in society.