In a landmark move, the Constitution Reform Commission in Bangladesh has submitted a comprehensive report to the Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, outlining sweeping changes to the nation’s governance and constitutional framework. The proposals aim to address long-standing issues of autocratic governance and ensure a more equitable, democratic, and accountable system.
The commission recommended revising the preamble of the Constitution to emphasise equality, human dignity, social justice, pluralism, and democracy while removing references to nationalism, socialism, and secularism.
To enhance representation, the commission suggested introducing a bicameral parliament. The lower house would be based on majority representation, while the upper house would adopt proportional representation to ensure inclusivity.
Bicameral parliament with a lower house named the National Assembly and an upper house named the Senate. The Senate shall have a total of 105 seats and the National Assembly shall have a total of 400 seats. Of the 400 members of the National Assembly, 300 members shall be directly elected from single regional constituencies.
Another 100 women members shall be elected from all districts of the country from 100 constituencies designated for this purpose through direct elections among only women candidates.
A cornerstone of the recommendations is the creation of the National Constitutional Council, a constitutional body aimed at maintaining checks and balances. It would consist of members including the President, Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Chief Justice, Speakers of both houses, Deputy Speakers from the opposition, and representatives of other political parties.
The council would oversee critical appointments, including those of constitutional institutions, the Election Commission, and the armed forces. This measure seeks to reduce the unilateral powers of the Prime Minister, which the commission identified as a major contributor to authoritarian governance over the past 16 years.
The commission proposed significant changes to the executive structure, including:
-Limiting the Prime Minister’s tenure to two terms.
-Allowing a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister in Parliament.
-Amending Article 70 to prevent absolute protection for the Prime Minister.
-Additionally, the commission recommended electing the President through an electoral college, with the term reduced to four years.
For the formation of interim governments following the dissolution of parliament, the commission advocated for a more collective decision-making process led by the National Constitutional Council, rather than leaving the decision to any single individual or institution.
To improve access to justice, the commission recommended decentralising the judiciary by establishing permanent High Court benches in all divisional cities while maintaining the Supreme Court’s unitary structure.
Recognising the importance of grassroots governance, the commission suggested the formation of a Local Government Commission and coordination councils at district and city levels to ensure better governance and development.
The report called for a broader scope of fundamental rights, enshrined in a constitutional charter to guarantee protection for all citizens.
Professor Ali Riaz, chairman of the commission, expressed optimism that political parties would reach a consensus on the proposals, describing them as a critical step towards a more transparent and accountable governance system.
The report is being hailed as a transformative blueprint for Bangladesh's future, addressing long-standing political and institutional challenges while laying the foundation for a more inclusive and democratic state.
