Referendum Ordinance won’t be placed as bill in parliament: Home Minister

The government will not place the recently issued referendum ordinance as a bill in parliament, as its purpose has already been fulfilled, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Sunday (March 29).

Speaking to reporters after a special committee meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, the minister said the ordinance was issued solely to facilitate the recently concluded referendum and holds no relevance as a permanent law.

“There is no need to convert it into a bill or pass it in parliament, as no future referendum can be held under this ordinance,” he said.

He added that all ordinances have been placed before parliament in line with Article 93 of the Constitution, which requires decisions on such measures within 30 days of a parliamentary session. However, since the referendum ordinance has already served its purpose, it does not need to be enacted into law.

Regarding the committee meeting, the minister said a total of 133 ordinances were reviewed. Several will be approved in their current form, while others will be amended and presented as bills. Not all ordinances can be tabled by the April 10 deadline, and the remaining ones will be introduced in subsequent sessions.

He noted that some members from both the ruling and opposition benches submitted notes of dissent on certain ordinances, which will be reflected in the committee’s report. Lawmakers will have the opportunity to express their views during the first, second and third readings of the bills.

The minister also said any ordinance or bill not presented within the stipulated timeframe will lapse automatically, though such measures can be reintroduced in future sessions without complication.

He added that ordinances related to delimitation and electoral laws will be prioritised for conversion into permanent legislation, considering their long-term impact.

On the Human Rights Commission and police-related ordinances, he said those fall under the jurisdiction of the Law Ministry, which will provide further details. The special committee’s report is scheduled to be presented in parliament on April 2.