Dhaka, Aug. 1 -- The National Consensus Commission (NCC) on Thursday concluded its second round of political reform dialogues, reaching a significant agreement on the procedure for electing the country's President. The parties agreed that the President will be chosen by a secret ballot, requiring a majority vote from members of both the proposed Upper and existing Lower Houses of Parliament.

The final-day session of the dialogue, held at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital, also produced key proposals on the appointment of the caretaker government chief, the formation of a bicameral legislature, and institutional reforms-though several of these met with opposition from major political parties including the BNP.

Caretaker Governme...