No consensus yet on bicameral legislature formation process: Ali Riaz

Although the majority of political parties and alliances have expressed support for establishing a bicameral legislature, there is no consensus on the formation process, said Professor Ali Riaz, Vice President of the National Consensus Commission. He also stated that the responsibility for making a decision on this matter has been entrusted to the Commission.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday (15 July) at the Foreign Service Academy's Doel Hall in Dhaka after a dialogue between the Commission and political parties, Dr. Riaz said that since parties and alliances have failed to reach a consensus after multiple rounds of discussion, they have delegated the authority to decide on the matter to the Commission.

He expressed hope that after informal discussions among themselves and with the political parties, the Consensus Commission would reach a position on the issue by next week.

The discussion marked the 14th day of the second phase of the national reform dialogue and was attended by leaders from 30 political parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizens’ Party (NCP), Gono Odhikar Parishad, Gonosonghoti Andolon, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Revolutionary Workers Party, AB Party, and the Labour Party. The parties presented their positions on women’s representation, constitutional amendments, and the bicameral legislature.

Professor Riaz noted that even during the first phase of discussions, the majority of parties supported the idea of a bicameral legislature. However, there remain disagreements regarding the formation process. Some political parties have proposed that the upper house be formed based on proportional vote share, while others have suggested that it be based on the proportion of parliamentary seats.

He further informed that based on the consensus reached in the dialogues, if the caretaker government system is included in the existing Constitution, any future change to this system would require a national referendum.

Riaz added that since there is no division among the political parties regarding the reinstatement of the caretaker government, the provision for a referendum has been proposed for any future change to that system. He also expressed hope that a consensus on the appointment process for the Chief of the caretaker government would be achieved by next week.

Regarding constitutional amendments, the Commission’s Vice President said that some decisions have already been reached. If an upper house is not formed, or until it is formed, constitutional amendments will require a majority in the current parliament. However, specific articles—such as the Preamble, Fundamental Principles of State Policy, Articles 48, 56, 142, and those related to the caretaker government system (Articles 58B, 58C, 58D, and 58E)—will require a national referendum if incorporated into the Constitution.