Chief Whip of the Jatiya Sangsad Md. Nurul Islam today underscored the importance of strengthening parliamentary democracy, stating that democracy is the foundation of a country’s development and progress. He made these remarks during a courtesy call by a delegation of the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) at his office in the Jatiya Sangsad.
Exchange of Views on Parliamentary Democracy
The EPD delegation, comprising Acting Executive Director Thijs Berman and Project Director Anastasia S. Wibawa, engaged in a detailed discussion with the Chief Whip. The meeting focused on Bangladesh’s parliamentary democracy, the strengthening of democratic institutions, advancing the democratic process, and making the Jatiya Sangsad more effective.
Chief Whip’s Vision for Democracy
Md. Nurul Islam highlighted that a stronger democratic process firmly establishes people’s rights, enabling all constitutional and democratic institutions to perform their responsibilities more effectively. He described parliament as the heart of democracy and noted that the current members, including the Leader of the House, the Leader of the Opposition, the Deputy Speaker, and most members of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, have been elected for the first time.
EPD’s Support and Appreciation
Thijs Berman of the EPD acknowledged Bangladesh’s positive democratic environment and expressed the organization’s willingness to extend necessary support to enhance the capacity of lawmakers and further strengthen the effectiveness of the Jatiya Sangsad. He also highly appreciated the Chief Whip’s role in making the current parliament more effective and dynamic.
Commitment to Parliamentary Knowledge
The Chief Whip emphasized the need for members of parliament to acquire comprehensive knowledge of the Constitution, the Rules of Procedure, and parliamentary practices and conventions to make parliament more effective and vibrant. Senior officials of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat were present at the meeting, underscoring the importance of this collaboration.
Significance and Future Implications
This meeting signifies a crucial step towards enhancing Bangladesh’s parliamentary democracy. With the EPD’s support, the Jatiya Sangsad aims to become more effective, ensuring that democratic institutions function optimally. This collaboration is expected to contribute significantly to the country’s development and progress by strengthening its democratic foundations.
