First Constitution Amendment Committee meets today

The Constitution Amendment Committee will hold its first meeting today (Tuesday) at 12:00 pm in the Cabinet Room of the National Parliament Building, with committee chairman and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed presiding.

The meeting will begin with the committee’s current 12 members, as the opposition has not yet joined. According to parliamentary sources, the first session is expected to focus on introductions and setting the agenda for future meetings, while detailed discussions on proposed constitutional amendments are likely to begin from the second meeting.

The government launched the constitutional amendment initiative in response to demands for state reforms following the July 2024 uprising. Discussions have centred on key issues including the balance of power, executive authority, the electoral system, judicial independence, fundamental rights and the effectiveness of constitutional institutions.

The committee was formed on July 13 based on what the government described as a national consensus. However, the opposition has argued that the priority should be state reforms rather than constitutional amendments, and has so far declined to join.

When the committee was formed, the Chief Whip proposed a 17-member body, leaving five seats vacant for opposition representatives. He said the committee would be reconstituted if the opposition later submits nominees. The current 12-member committee includes lawmakers from the ruling alliance and is chaired by Salahuddin Ahmed.