Constitutional Reform Commission recommends establishing National Constitutional Council

Highlights:

• The commission recommends the establishment of a National Constitutional Council (NCC)
• The NCC will include representatives from the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches
• In a coalition government, the last council member will be elected by coalition parties excluding the prime minister's party.
• The NCC will advise the president on the appointment of key officials in various institutions

The Constitution Reform Commission today (15 January) recommended the formation of a "National Constitutional Council (NCC)", which will play a pivotal role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and balance among various state institutions.

The NCC will be a national institution composed of representatives from three branches of the government, according to the commission's recommendations submitted to the chief adviser.

The members of the NCC will include the president, the prime minister, the leader of the opposition, speakers of the lower and upper houses, the chief justice, deputy speakers of the lower and upper houses nominated by the opposition party, and one member nominated by a majority vote of all members of both houses of the legislature, excluding the prime minister, the leader of the opposition, and their respective party members.

In the case of a coalition government, the last member of the council will be elected by members of the coalition parties, other than the party of the prime minister, the recommendation report said.

The report further stated that even if the legislature is dissolved, the existing NCC members will continue to serve until the new chief adviser of the interim government takes the oath.

In the absence of a legislature, the members of the NCC will be the president, the chief adviser, the chief justice and two members of the Advisory Council nominated by the chief adviser.

The commission also recommended that the NCC will advise the president on the appointment of individuals to various key positions, including the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners, the attorney general and additional attorney generals, the chairman and other commissioners of the Public Service Commission, the chairman and other commissioners of the Anti-Corruption Commission, the chairman and other commissioners of the National Human Rights Commission, the chief local government commissioner and other commissioners, the chiefs of the defines forces, and any other positions as may be prescribed by law.