If the “yes” vote wins, the next parliament will be bicameral. The process for amending the Constitution will change, making it difficult for any one party to push amendments.
Following the people’s uprising in July that toppled the Awami League government, an interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus took charge on 8 August 2024. The government then promised reforms in various sectors of the state.
For this purpose, commissions for constitutional reform, electoral system, judiciary, anti-corruption commission and police and public administration reform were formed in the first week of October 2024.
Subsequently, the commissions were also tasked with making recommendations in many other areas.
Initially, 166 of the recommendations of the six Reform Commissions were considered important. The National Consensus Commission started its work on February 15 last year to reach a consensus with political parties on these issues.
After extensive discussions with 30 political parties, 84 reform proposals were agreed upon and decisions were taken. These were included in the National Charter of July.
Of these proposals, 48 were constitution-related. Other proposals may be implemented through government orders, ordinances or laws. Some of the proposals of various reform commissions have already been implemented by the interim government.