The possibility of making the Speaker of Parliament the head of a caretaker government has emerged in discussions on constitutional amendments, as a special parliamentary committee continues to explore options for reforming the system.
Committee chairman and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said yesterday that the formation of a caretaker government had been discussed in detail at the panel’s latest meeting, although no decision had been reached on the proposed amendments.
He made the remarks at a press conference following the meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, which was attended by constitutional and legal experts and academics.
Caretaker government proposals
Salahuddin said the discussions had covered whether the Speaker could head a caretaker government and whether advisers could be appointed, with the consent of both the government and the opposition, from among the heads of institutions other than the Speaker.
Some participants suggested that, if an upper house were established and remained in place during the same parliamentary term, the process of forming a caretaker government could be entrusted to that chamber.
In this context, a proposal was made to create the post of vice-president in the upper house.
One participant suggested that the vice-president could also serve as the Speaker of the upper house.
Another option discussed was electing the Speaker with the consent of both the government and the opposition.
Amendment proposal not in November session
Despite the ongoing discussions, the committee’s constitutional amendment proposal will not be placed before Parliament during its upcoming session.
The 12-member committee has held nine meetings, including yesterday’s, but has yet to finalise any aspect of the proposed amendments.
The fourth session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad is scheduled to begin on November 9. President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir summoned the session on October 14 under Article 72(1) of the Constitution.
Officials concerned said the session had largely been convened to meet a constitutional requirement that Parliament sit within 60 days of the conclusion of its previous session.
Two or three important bills may be passed during the session, while one or two others may be introduced.
However, the much-discussed constitutional amendment proposal will not be tabled.
Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni told The New Nation that the session had primarily been called to fulfil the constitutional obligation.
“A session must be called within 60 days of the last one,” he said, adding that preparations were under way to finalise a couple of bills.
“The committee’s proposal on constitutional amendment is not coming in this session,” he said.
Scope of amendments undecided
The special committee was formed during the budget session and formally constituted at Parliament’s session on July 13, following a delay in receiving the opposition’s nominations.
The panel is chaired by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. The opposition has no representative on it and had rejected the committee.
Sources said the committee had yet to determine which constitutional provisions should be amended or repealed, or what new provisions should be introduced. Discussions on the scope of the proposed changes are continuing.
The committee will begin drafting its proposal after consultations with constitutional experts, lawyers, academics, political parties, professionals and other stakeholders.
It will also accept submissions from individuals and organisations wishing to offer their views.
According to the sources, the committee intends to incorporate commitments made towards democratic reform of the state structure into the proposed amendments.
However, further meetings and consultations will be needed before the proposal can be finalised.
The proposal could be placed before Parliament during its first session next year, which may begin in mid-January, the sources said.
Once the committee completes its draft, it will be tabled as a bill and referred to the relevant standing committee before returning to Parliament for passage. The process is expected to take several months.
Asked when the proposal might be placed before Parliament, Chief Whip Moni said the process would take considerable time.
“We are holding discussions. We will talk to constitutional experts and take stakeholders’ views. Only then will the proposal be prepared. This will continue, and I cannot say right now how soon we can finalise it,” he said.