পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (দ্বিতীয় খণ্ড).pdf/৫১২

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বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ দ্বিতীয় খণ্ড
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 involved two election to the Convention and the other to the National Assembly based on the Constitution made by such a Convention. The other and more serious disadvantage of this procedure would have been that it would cause unnecessary delay in the transfer of power.

 The next was to revive the 1956 Constitution but there is widespread opposition to adopting such a method in both wings of the country because certain features of that Constitution such as One Unit and parity are no longer acceptable to the people.

 The third alternative was to frame a Constitution and have a referendum on it in the country. This alternative too has certain practical difficulties as a simple yes’ or no by way of an answer cannot possibly be given by the people to Such a comprehensive document as a Constitution.

 The fourth alternative was for me to evolve a legal framework for general elections on the basis of consultations with the various groups and political leaders as well as the study of Past Constitutions of Pakistan and the general consensus in the country. This proposal from me would only be in the nature of a provisional legal framework.

 After careful thought, I have decided to adopt this fourth alternative, namely to evolve a legal framework for holding elections to the National Assembly. As I had mentioned in my July address, it became evident to me that the three main issues that face us as a nation in the constitutional field are firstly, the question of One Unit, secondly the issue of one man vote versus parity and thirdly, the relationship between the Centre and the Federating Provinces.

 As discussions on constitutional matters went on in the country during the past few months, I could see that the first two of these issues would have to be resolved before the elections are held because they are connected with the basis or elections and with the setting up of the National Assembly. As regards other constitutional issues, such as the Parliamentary Federal Form of Government, direct adult franchise, fundamental rights of citizens and their enforcement by the law courts, independence of judiciary and its role as the custodian of the Constitution and the Islamic character of the Constitution which should preserve the ideology on which Pakistan was created, there is no disagreement and these can be considered as settled.

 With regard to the three major issues as referred to by me, opinions were divided and I made it clear in my last address that these must not become election issues. I is glad to find that differences on these issues have now begun to narrow down. This is a good sign. Although no formal all-party meetings have taken place, through statements both to the press and during party meetings most political parties have now come quite close in their thinking on these issues. Also, during my tours in various parts of the country sections and groups quite clear to me that there is hardly any difference amongst different sections and groups of people on these questions. This has lent further strength to my initial reaction that these matters should not become election issues, because by a national process of discussion and sober thinking, we seem to have come closer to solving these issues and