Constitution amendment bill in January, proposal for constitutional referendum included

The constitution amendment bill may be tabled in the first session of the National Parliament in January next year, said Chairman of the Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. He said efforts are underway to present the committee's report in parliament by December. After that, the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs will bring a bill based on the report.

He made these remarks at a press conference held after the committee's meeting at the National Parliament on Sunday, September 27.

Salahuddin Ahmed said a referendum will be held before the President's signature on the fundamental matters of the Constitution that will be amended. There will be an obligation for a referendum if changes are made to the preamble of the Constitution, Article 142 or the relevant constitutional provisions.

Explaining the types of referendum, he said there are generally two types. One is a constitutional referendum, and the other is a referendum on a matter of law. A referendum on a matter of law can be called on a national basis. There is no provision in the Constitution that a referendum cannot be held on matters other than a constitutional referendum.

The Home Minister said Article 142 of the Constitution previously had a provision for a constitutional referendum. It was repealed through the 15th Amendment during the Awami League government. He said that after the student-public uprising of August 5, the provision in Article 142 returned following the Supreme Court's verdict in a case regarding the annulment of the 15th Amendment.

He said that after the Constitution Amendment Bill is passed in parliament, the changes that require a referendum will be sent to a referendum before the President's signature. If votes are cast in favour in the referendum, the amendment will be approved, and the President will then sign it.

The committee chairman also spoke about the proposal to bring the caretaker government system under a constitutional referendum. He said their proposal at the Consensus Commission was to make a referendum mandatory for changing the relevant provision so that no future parliament can change the caretaker government system.

He said it was suggested to add another matter to this proposal. If the relevant constitutional provision is to be changed in the future, it too must be brought under a referendum. He said BNP had also proposed making a referendum mandatory on these matters.

Calling on the opposition to participate in the constitutional amendment work, Salahuddin Ahmed said if they join the committee, their statements and proposals will be discussed. There will be scope to include acceptable proposals based on everyone's opinions.

He said the committee is repeatedly calling on the opposition to participate. However, the committee does not have the power to ensure their participation; it can only call upon them and hope.

At Sunday's meeting, editors of national dailies, distinguished journalists and representatives of various journalist forums gave their opinions on various aspects of constitutional amendment. Opinions were also received on various articles and schedules, starting from the preamble. Participants were asked to submit written proposals.