Dhaka:Constitutional experts have introduced several alternative proposals concerning the formation, size, and scope of a caretaker government, including potential roles for an upper chamber of parliament and the appointment of a Speaker or Vice-President as its head. The proposals were revealed by Salahuddin Ahmed, Chairman of the Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment and Home Minister, during a briefing with journalists following the committee's eighth meeting at the National Parliament Building.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, constitutional experts debated whether incorporating an upper chamber could play a role in forming a caretaker government and if this process should be integrated into the Constitution. They also considered appointing the Speaker or Vice-President as the head of the interim administration.
Salahuddin Ahmed mentioned that one proposal suggests creating the post of Vice-President if an upper chamber is not dissolved or a bill is not passed within the same parliamentary term. Another proposal involves appointing a Speaker elected with the consent of both ruling and opposition parties as the head of the caretaker government. He emphasized the importance of formalizing the caretaker government formation process and noted that the committee will consider these proposals while preparing its report.
The meeting, chaired by Salahuddin Ahmed, took place in the Cabinet Room of the National Parliament Building and included participation from eminent constitutional experts, Supreme Court lawyers, and law professors. Of the invited experts, 44 attended, providing written and oral opinions on constitutional amendments. Discussions covered the July National Charter, proposed changes to crucial constitutional articles, the fundamental structure of the Constitution, judicial review, and judicial independence.
The proposed amendment to Article 70 was also discussed, envisioning MPs' freedom to express opinions and vote on issues beyond four specified areas confidence motions, money bills, constitutional amendments, and national security or wartime matters. Additional proposals addressed balancing power between the President and Prime Minister, a law for judge appointments, a Supreme Court Secretariat, and defining statutory bodies' independent scope.
Further discussions included the role of an upper chamber in the caretaker government system and nominating opposition representatives as chairpersons of parliamentary standing committees under Article 76. Attendees of the meeting included Jatiya Sangsad Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni, Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman, and other prominent officials and MPs.