The government plans to introduce a bill to amend the Constitution in Parliament's first session in January next year, with a special committee aiming to submit its recommendations by December.
The proposed amendments may include provisions requiring a referendum on key constitutional changes, including amendments to the Constitution's preamble, Article 142 and provisions relating to the caretaker government system.
Home Minister and Chairman of the Special Committee on Constitution Amendment Salahuddin Ahmed said the proposed amendments requiring a referendum would be put to a public vote before receiving the president's assent.
He made the remarks at a press briefing following a meeting of the committee at the National Parliament Building on Sunday.
Salahuddin said the committee was working to submit its report to Parliament by December.
Based on the report, the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs would prepare and introduce the amendment bill.
"We are trying to place the report in Parliament by December. The bill may be introduced during the first session of Parliament in January next year," he said.
Proposed major constitutional changes
Explaining the proposed referendum mechanism, the home minister said constitutional amendments involving fundamental provisions would require a referendum before the president gave assent.
He identified the Constitution's preamble, Article 142 and other relevant constitutional provisions as areas where changes could trigger the requirement.
Salahuddin further said referendums could generally be divided into two categories: constitutional referendums and referendums on matters of law.
He added that no constitutional provision explicitly prohibits referendums on issues other than constitutional amendments.
Under the proposed arrangement, amendments passed by Parliament that require a referendum would be put to a public vote before being sent to the president for assent.
If voters approve the amendments, the president would then give assent, he said.
Article 142 referendum provision restored
The home minister said Article 142 previously included a provision for a referendum on constitutional amendments, but the provision was abolished through the 15th Amendment during the Awami League government.
He said the referendum provision had been restored following a Supreme Court verdict in a case challenging the 15th Amendment after the August 5, 2024 uprising.
The proposed mechanism would bring constitutional amendments requiring public approval under a referendum process before they could receive presidential assent.
The legal implications and implementation of the restored provision will be central to the committee's recommendations.
Caretaker govt provisions may require referendum
The special committee has also proposed making a referendum mandatory for changes to constitutional provisions relating to the caretaker government system.
Salahuddin said his party had proposed at the National Consensus Commission that future parliaments should not be able to alter the caretaker government system without a referendum.
The proposal also seeks to require a referendum if any future parliament attempts to amend the relevant constitutional provisions.
He said the BNP had also proposed making referendums mandatory for changes to these provisions.
The proposal is intended to ensure that any future changes to the caretaker government system are subject to public approval.
Opposition invited to join committee
The committee has repeatedly invited opposition parties to participate in the constitutional amendment process, Salahuddin said.
He said the committee would discuss the opposition's views and proposals if they joined its deliberations.
"Any acceptable proposals can be incorporated through discussions and based on the opinions of all parties," he said.
However, he acknowledged that the committee had no authority to compel opposition parties to participate and could only invite them and hope for their involvement.
The committee wants to ensure participation from political parties and other stakeholders in the process of amending the Constitution.
Journalists submit proposals on constitutional reform
Sunday's meeting also included editors of national newspapers, senior journalists and representatives of various journalists' forums, who shared their views on proposed constitutional amendments.
The discussions covered a range of issues, including the Constitution's preamble, various articles and schedules.
The committee also invited participants to submit their proposals in writing for consideration.
The consultations are part of the committee's efforts to gather opinions from different professional groups and stakeholders before finalising its recommendations.
July Charter, BNP polls manifesto to guide amendments
Salahuddin said the July National Charter would receive priority in the constitutional amendment process, while commitments made in the BNP's election manifesto would also be considered.
He said the committee would examine issues included in the July Charter as well as proposals that were not incorporated into the document or failed to secure consensus.
The committee has formally written to political parties to seek their participation in discussions on constitutional reform.
It aims to involve all relevant stakeholders, including parties that signed the July National Charter, in the process.
Report expected in December
The committee is working to submit its report to Parliament by December, after which the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs will prepare the constitutional amendment bill.
The bill is expected to be introduced during Parliament's first session in January next year.
Following its introduction, the bill will undergo parliamentary discussions, during which lawmakers may propose amendments or raise objections.
The proposed constitutional changes will then proceed through the required parliamentary and constitutional procedures.
Amendments requiring a referendum would be put to a public vote before being sent to the president for assent.
