Bangladesh Constitution Reform: Bicameral System Approved

In a decisive move towards constitutional reform, President Mohammed Shahabuddin has signed the July National Charter (Constitution Reform) Implementation Order, 2025. This order fundamentally alters the process for constitutional amendments by removing the automatic enactment clause previously linked to the Constitutional Reform Council’s inaction. The future parliament is set to operate under a novel dual mandate, functioning as both the legislative body and the Constitutional Reform Council. This integrated approach grants the parliament 180 days from its commencement to finalize and enact constitutional changes, contingent upon a positive referendum outcome. A significant structural change is the establishment of a bicameral parliament, featuring an Upper House populated by members selected via proportional representation. This system aims to align the Upper House’s composition closely with the national vote share of political parties, enhancing representational accuracy.