Next parliamentary election will be held under caretaker government: Law Minister

Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman has said the next national parliamentary election will be held under a non-partisan caretaker government, describing it as the government's political commitment and the outcome of a long-standing political movement.

The minister made the remarks while speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Thursday (July 9), shortly after the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh upheld the High Court verdict by dismissing all appeals challenging key provisions of the Constitution's 15th Amendment.

Responding to a question, the law minister said the upcoming parliamentary polls would be conducted under a caretaker government, adding that the system reflects the government's commitment and stems from years of political demands and movements.

Following the verdict, Attorney General Md Ruhul Quddus Kajal said the Appellate Division had rejected all appeals against the High Court judgment, leaving the earlier ruling intact.

He said the verdict effectively restores the constitutional provisions relating to the caretaker government system and referendum, while also upholding the annulment of Articles 7A and 7B of the Constitution.

The caretaker government system was abolished in 2011 through the Constitution's 15th Amendment enacted by the then Bangladesh Awami League government.

In 2024, separate writ petitions challenged the legality of the amendment. After hearing the petitions, the High Court declared several provisions—including those abolishing the caretaker government system and referendum—to be unconstitutional.

With the Appellate Division dismissing the appeals on Thursday, the High Court verdict now remains in force, marking a significant constitutional development ahead of Bangladesh's next parliamentary election.