Unofficial constituency-based results of referendum show the ‘Yes’ vote leading in most reported areas, signalling broad support for a major constitutional overhaul.
The Election Commission hasn’t yet announced result, but early trends suggest voters have endorsed a plan to redesign the country’s political structure, especially a shift from a unicameral to a bicameral parliament.
If formally approved, the reform would replace the long-standing single chamber Jatiya Sangsad with a two-chamber legislature. A new 100-member upper house would be created alongside the existing lower house.
Under the proposal, the next parliament would also act as a Constitution Reform Council. Lawmakers would be required to complete the necessary amendments within 180 working days from the council’s first sitting.
Once the amendments are finalised, the upper house would be formed within 30 working days. Seats in the upper chamber would be allocated to political parties based on their total vote share in the parliamentary election. The upper house would remain in place until the lower house completes its term.
Future constitutional amendments would require a two thirds majority in the lower house and majority approval in the upper house. The dual threshold is intended to prevent any single party from unilaterally altering the constitution.
Despite apparent public backing for reform, political consensus remains incomplete. BNP has formally noted its dissent over how seats in the upper house should be distributed. The proposal calls for allocation based on overall vote share. BNP has said it prefers distribution according to the number of parliamentary seats won.
Based on the latest unofficial parliamentary results, BNP is set to form the next government. If that outcome holds, the party would not be legally bound to follow the vote share formula and could shape the upper chamber according to its parliamentary strength. How the new house is ultimately structured may therefore depend on negotiations in parliament, even if the referendum is formally approved.
A ‘Yes’ result would not automatically create the upper house. The government would then need to initiate the constitutional amendment process. Amendments require a specified parliamentary majority and presidential assent.
Further legislation would be needed to define the upper house’s structure, powers, tenure and selection process. This means the transition to a bicameral system would unfold gradually.
The upper chamber would function primarily as a reviewing body. It would examine legislation passed by the lower house and have special authority over constitutional amendments and major laws. It would not have the power to initiate a vote of no confidence against the government.
Members would be able to question the government. International agreements related to state security would require approval from both houses.
The provisions BNP previously opposed may face scrutiny, but senior party leaders have said implementing the July National Charter is a moral duty, suggesting the party will pursue the other reforms in the Charter.
Among the other constitutional reform proposals, one is that the president would be elected by secret ballot of members from both chambers. Removal of the president would require two thirds vote in each house.
The reform package also proposes changes to executive authority and parliamentary practice. A two-term limit would be introduced for the prime minister, capping tenure at 10 years.
The proposal also bars the prime minister from simultaneously serving as head of a political party, a provision that has drawn mixed reactions from the BNP.
Reserved seats for women in parliament would double from 50 to 100. The deputy speaker would be elected from the opposition, strengthening the role of minority parties.
Lawmakers would be allowed to vote independently on most issues except the budget and motions of confidence. The change would ease party discipline on ordinary legislation while maintaining stability on financial and confidence matters.
The president would gain authority to appoint the heads and members of several constitutional and regulatory bodies, including the National Human Rights Commission, Information Commission, Press Council, Law Commission, Bangladesh Bank and the Energy Regulatory Commission.
Multi-party committees would be introduced to recommend appointments to the EC, the office of the ombudsman, the Public Service Commission, the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Anti-Corruption Commission.
Reform package also proposes restoring a caretaker government system during elections, formed through consultations between the ruling and opposition parties.
Judicial reform is a central component of the proposal. The plan seeks to guarantee full constitutional independence of the judiciary.
The chief justice would be appointed from among senior judges of the Appellate Division. High Court benches would be established in every division. Administrative control over lower court judges would be transferred to the Supreme Court.
The number of Appellate Division judges would be determined based on needs identified by the chief justice. Appointment of High Court judges would shift to a commission led by the chief justice, reducing direct executive involvement.
Recently, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has said a ‘Yes’ vote would transform the country and prevent a return to misgovernance.
With unofficial results showing the reform proposal ahead in most constituencies, attention now turns to the EC’s formal declaration. If confirmed, the referendum could set Bangladesh on course for one of its most far-reaching constitutional restructurings since independence.
