BNP proposes new posts of deputy prime minister, vice president

The BNP has proposed constitutional reforms in 62 areas, including the creation of new positions for a deputy prime minister and vice president. 

The proposals also include limiting a prime minister's tenure to two consecutive terms, establishing a second parliamentary chamber for a bicameral system, introducing provisions for referendums and inclusion of the election-time caretaker government, said BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed during a press briefing at the parliament today (26 November).

A BNP delegation visited the parliament building and met Dr Ali Riaz, head of the Constitution Reform Commission, to submit their proposals.

Briefing reporters, Salahuddin said BNP's proposals emphasise the concept of a "balance of power." One of the proposals is introducing a system of checks and balances between the president and prime minister.

Earlier, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury told TBS, "We have not defined the exact balance of power between the president and prime minister yet, but our proposal will include a system of checks and balances for these two key positions.

"No one will be allowed to serve as prime minister for more than two consecutive terms. This will prevent anyone from becoming a monstrous fascist like Sheikh Hasina," he said.

Regarding the bicameral parliament, Khasru said, "The upper house of parliament will be formed. We have not decided yet whether it will have 100, 200, or 300 members, but each party will nominate MPs based on their seats in the lower house."

He said, "The most talented and innovative individuals in their fields will be MPs in the upper house. They will set state policies, and their intellectual discussions will influence decisions in the lower house."

BNP finalised their proposals for constitutional and other key reforms based on their 31-point reform agenda focused on equality, human dignity, and justice as the fundamental principles of the Constitution. 

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior leaders have said that they disagree with the proportional parliamentary representation system, proposed by Jamaat-e-Islami and smaller parties.

Under a proportional representation system, parties will be allocated seats in parliament in proportion to the total number of votes they secure countrywide during an election.

BNP leaders argue that the proportional representation system is not practical for Bangladesh as they believe that no party will likely secure a majority, which could lead to a hung parliament most of the time।