Dhaka, Nov. 1 -- The National Consensus Commission's proposal to issue an "implementation order" for the July National Charter (constitutional reform), and to hold a referendum on its basis, has triggered divisions among political parties, as well as disagreement among jurists over its legal foundation.

The dispute cuts two ways.

Politically, over whether the order should be issued by the president or by the chief advisor to the interim government; and legally, over whether such an order and referendum are possible at all under the current constitutional framework.

Although the constitution has no explicit provision to issue an order to implement the July Charter and then put it to a referendum, most political parties agree in principl...