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Referendum proposed to protect key constitutional provisions from future changes
Published : Sunday, 27 September, 2026 at 7:34 PM
Observer Online Report
A proposal has been made to bring certain constitutional provisions, including the caretaker government system, under a referendum so that future parliaments cannot amend them without public approval, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said on Sunday.
He made the remarks while speaking to journalists after the third meeting of the special committee on constitutional amendments at the Jatiya Sangsad.
Editors of national dailies, representatives of journalists' forums and senior journalists attended the meeting and shared their views and proposals on various aspects of constitutional reform.
Salahuddin said participants discussed the preamble, different articles and schedules of the Constitution and were asked to submit their proposals in writing. The committee will consider the suggestions before incorporating relevant ones into its final report.
Regarding the participation of opposition parties, he said they had repeatedly been invited to join the committee and would be welcomed whenever they decided to participate.
“We want differences of opinion, not division among us,” he said, adding that the July National Charter would be implemented as signed and that issues not covered in the charter would also be considered on the basis of consensus.
On the priority between the July National Charter and the BNP's election manifesto, Salahuddin said the charter would receive priority, while commitments on which the BNP received a mandate would also be incorporated.
Explaining the referendum proposal, he said the Constitution requires a referendum for amendments to certain provisions. The BNP had proposed including the caretaker government provision and two other provisions so that any future attempt by parliament to amend them would require approval through a referendum.
Salahuddin said the committee had agreed to include the additional provisions along with the four provisions already requiring a referendum.
He added that where a referendum is constitutionally required, it would be held after the constitutional amendment bill is passed by parliament but before it is sent to the president for assent.
The committee is working to submit its report to parliament by December, he said. Based on the report, the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry is expected to prepare a bill, which Salahuddin hopes will be placed in parliament during the first session of January.
- MaT
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
