Dhaka, June 19 -- Political parties have agreed on the need to change the existing system of electing the president but failed to reach a consensus on what model should replace it.

In a dialogue of the National Consensus Commission on Thursday, representatives from 30 political parties debated possible reforms to the presidential election process but ended the day without settling on a specific electoral method.

Ali Riaz, vice-chair of the commission, said all parties supported amending Article 48(1) of the Constitution, which governs presidential elections, but further discussion was needed to finalise a reformed process.

"The consensus today is clear -- there needs to be a change to the way the president is elected," Riaz told report...