MPs may get freedom to vote independently on most issues

Lawmakers may gain greater freedom to vote independently in Parliament under a proposed amendment to Article 70 of the Constitution, with restrictions retained on four key matters: confidence motions, money bills, constitutional amendments, and national security or wartime issues.

The proposal came up for discussion at the eighth meeting of the Special Committee on Constitutional Amendments of the 13th National Parliament today.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed chaired the meeting held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

If adopted, the proposed amendment would allow MPs to express their views and vote according to their own judgment on matters outside these four categories, potentially expanding their scope for independent decision-making in the parliament.

The meeting brought together constitutional experts, experienced lawyers nominated by the Supreme Court Bar Association, and law professors from various universities.

A total of 44 invited experts presented their written and oral opinions on constitutional reform.

The committee also discussed the implementation of the July National Charter, the fundamental structure of the Constitution, judicial review, and judicial independence.

Other key issues included balancing the powers of the President and Prime Minister, reforming the judicial appointment process, establishing a Supreme Court Secretariat, and strengthening the independence of statutory bodies.

The possible role of an upper house in the caretaker government system and the nomination of opposition lawmakers to chair parliamentary standing committees under Article 76 were also discussed.

The proposed change to Article 70 remains under discussion, with no adoption of the amendment reported at the meeting.