| Muhammad Jamiruddin Sircar ( M) |
| Ashfaque Hamid ( M) |
- 300 directly elected
- 45 additional seats are reserved for women, to be elected by members of parliament
The parliament was dissolved in October 2006 at the end of its term. Elections were due to be held within 60 days (ie. on 22 January 2007). These elections did not take place as a result of political turmoil in the country. In July 2007, the interim caretaker government indicated that parliamentary elections might take place in late 2008. There is no functioning parliament. However, article 74 (6) of the Constitution stipulates that the Speaker continues to hold office until his successor takes office.
Parliament House
Shere-e-Bangla Nagar
Dhaka 1207
Bangladesh
Tel.: Speaker: (88 02) 811 14 99 (Office), (88 02) 836 27 47 (Residence), Secretary General: (88 02) 811 1600 (Office)
(88 02) 833 21 44 (Residence)
Fax: (88 02) 912 22 54 (Speaker), (88 02) 811 2267 (Secretary General)
E-mail: speaker@citechco.net (Speaker)
sangshod@citechco.net (Secretary General)
| http://www.parliamentofbangladesh.org/ |
1986 - 2008
Vacancies arising between general elections are filled through by-elections held within 90 days.
Voting is not compulsory.
- Bangladesh citizenship
- residence in constituency of vote
- disqualifications: insanity
- Bangladesh citizenship
- ineligibility: insanity, undischarged bankruptcy, imprisonment for more than 2 years (for criminal offence involving moral turpitude), allegiance to a foreign State
- deposit of 5,000 takas, reimbursed if the candidate obtains at least 1/8 of the total votes cast
- candidates may run simultaneously in several constituencies
Also available:
Archive of past election results for this chamber
Ms Hasina's government, that was dissolved on 15 July 2001 to pave the way for the parliamentary elections, was the first in the country's history to complete its full term in office, first as a minority government supported by smaller parties and then as a majority one, thanks to by-elections and the appointment of her supporters to 27 of the 30 reserved seats for women.
During the full term of the Awami League government, Ms. Khaleda Zia's BNP boycotted Parliament for long periods and organised general strikes and street demonstrations against the government.
In the run-up to the elections, there were violent clashes between supporters of the BNP and the Awami League. Police declared that almost 230 people were killed and more than 1,500 injured in political violence since the caretaker government, led by Mr Latif-ur-Rahman, took office in mid-July 2001.
The results of the parliamentary elections showed that the BNP, which had formed an alliance with three other (Islamic) parties, had won 191 of 300 seats, while the outgoing Awami League had won 62, the Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh 18, and the National Party (Ershad) 14. Turnout was near 75%.
The international and national monitors declared the polling free and fair even though the Awami League alleged massive vote rigging by the BNP. The accusation was denied by the Chief Election Commissioner, who declared the charges "baseless". International observers, from the European Union, the United Nations and the Carter Center of former US President Jimmy Carter, also praised the heavy voter turnout.
On 10 October 2001, Ms. Khaleda Zia was sworn in as Prime Minister. Her Cabinet, comprising members of four parties, was also sworn that same day.
On 30 October 2001, Parliament opened its 8th term and elected Mr Jamiruddin Sircar as its new Speaker. The MPs from the Awami League refused to take the oath.
| Round no 1 (1 October 2001): Election results | ||||
| Number of registered electors | 74'660'443 | |||
| Voters | 55'905'518 (74.88%) | |||
| Blank or invalid ballot papers | ||||
| Valid votes | ||||
| Round no 1: Distribution of votes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Political Group | Candidates | Votes | % of votes | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Bangladesh National Party (BNP) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Awami League | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jamaat-e-Islami | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jatiyo Party | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Independents | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Others | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Round no 1: Distribution of seats | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Political Group | Total of seats | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bangladesh National Party (BNP) | 198 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Awami League | 62 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jamaat-e-Islami | 17 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jatiyo Party | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Independents | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Others | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Source: Bangladesh Election Commission (http://www.bd-ec.org)
- Following constitutional amendments in 2004, the statutory number has been increased from 300 to 345.
- 45 seats of the enlarged parliament are reserved for women, selected in proportion to each party's support at the 2001 election.
- 36 of 45 women MPs were selected on 6 September 2005.
- Awami League, for which nine seats are reserved, did nominate candidates insisting that new women MPs should be directly elected.
- On 2 October 2005, nine additional women were appointed by the BNP (six women) and other three parties, bringing the total number of the parliament to 345.
- reasons for interruption of the term: if he becomes Minister, if he ceases to be a Member of Parliament, if he is removed by resolution of the majority of the Members of the Assembly, in case of resignation, death and dissolution of the Parliament
- election held at the first sitting of the new Parliament
- after Members are sworn in
- formal notification is required
- deadline for notification of candidature: one hour before the time fixed for the election
- if a voting is held, simple majority is required
- the tellers appointed by the Speaker supervise the voting
- the outgoing Speaker announces the results without any delay
- the results cannot be challenged
- may be called upon to replace the Head of State in the event of the latter's absence
- represents the Assembly in international bodies
- is ex officio Chairman of the Standing Committee on Rules of Procedures of Parliament and of the Business Advisory Committee
- in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker can assume his/her role and functions
- allowance: 5,000 taka per month
- official residence
- official car
- personal secretariat
- domestic staff
- body guards
- official telephone
- organizes the debates and sets speaking time
- examines the admissibility of bills and amendments
- refers texts to a committee for study
- examines the admissibility of request for setting up committees and/or committees of enquiry, proposes or decides on the setting up of such committees
- nominates 4 Committees and their Chairmen (out of 46 Standing Committees)
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the Assembly
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak
- establishes the order in which amendments are taken up and selects which amendments are to be debated
- calls for a vote, decides how it is to be carried out, verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities
- checks the quorum
- authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Assembly
- has discretionary power to give the floor outside the agenda and thus organizes impromptu debates
- appoints the Clerk under recommendation of one of the Selection Committees
- organizes the services of Parliament with the Parliament Secretariat Commission
- is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Chamber
- provides guidelines for the interpretation or completion of the text under discussion
- takes part in voting in the event of a tie
- authenticates all bills passed by Parliament before submitting them to the President of the Republic
- takes the final decision relative to the constitutionality of laws in case of divergence in the House
- can appoint Members to corporate bodies (universities...)
· Procedure (Art. 49 to 72 of the Representation of the People Order)
· Procedure (Art. 67 (2) of the Constitution, Rules 177 and 178 (3) and (4) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament)
· Authority competent to accept the resignation: the resignation need not be accepted
(b) Loss of mandate for absence at plenary sittings (Art. 67 (1) (b) of the Constitution, Rule 178 (3) and (4) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament)
(c) Loss of mandate for disqualification (Art. 67 (1) (d) in connection with Art. 66 (2) to (5) of the Constitution, Art. 69 of the Constitution, Rule 178 (1), (2), and (4) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament)
(d) Resignation from party or "voting in Parliament against that party" (Art. 66 (4) and (5), 67 (1) (e), and 70 of the Constitution, Rule 178 (1), (2), and (4) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament)
1. The Speaker
2. The Deputy Speaker
3. The Leader of the House
4. The Deputy Leader of the House
5. The Leader of the Opposition
6. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition
7. The Chief Whip
8. The Whips
9. The other MPs
· Basic salary (Art. 68 of the Constitution): BDT 6,000 per month
+ Additional allowance: BDT 8,200 per month
· Exemption from tax
· No pension scheme
· Other facilities:
(a) Secretariat (Art. 79 of the Constitution)
(b) Official housing: accommodation in the MPs' Hostel
(c) Postal and telephone services
(d) Travel and transport: Free travel pass; or Travel Allowance: BDT 30,000 per annum
(h) Others: procurement of a car without duty
· Parliamentary non-accountability is limited to words spoken or written by MPs and votes cast within Parliament.
· Derogations: offence or insult (Rule 270 (ii), (v), (vi), (vii), and (ix), and 271 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, see Discipline)
· Non-accountability takes effect on the day when the mandate begins and offers, after the expiry of the mandate, protection against prosecution for opinions expressed during the exercise of the mandate.
· Parliament cannot subject the prosecution and/or detention to certain conditions.
· Parliament cannot suspend the prosecution and/or detention of one of its members.
· In the event of preventive custody or imprisonment, the MPs concerned can be authorised to attend sittings of Parliament (no prescribed Rule but precedent).
· It is provided by parliamentary groups, political parties, and the Parliament Secretariat in collaboration with CPA.
· Penalties foreseen in case of failure to attend:
- Plenary sittings: loss of mandate (Art. 67 (1) (b) of the Constitution, Rule 178 (3) and (4) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament)
- Committee meetings: discharge from the Committee (Rule 193 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament)
· Body competent to judge such cases/to impose penalties:
- Plenary sittings:
- Committee meetings: the House
· Disciplinary measures foreseen:
- Warning for irrelevance, direction to discontinue the speech (Rule 273 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament)
- Order to withdraw (Rule 15 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament)
- Naming and suspension (Rule 16 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament)
- Suspension of the sitting (Rule 17 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament)
· Specific cases:
- Offence or insult (Rule 270 (ii), (v), (vi), (vii), and (ix), and 271 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament): order to withdraw, naming and suspension
· Competent body to judge such cases (Rules 14 (3), and 303 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament):
- Warning for irrelevance, direction to discontinue the speech, order to withdraw, naming, suspension of the sitting, offence or insult: the Speaker
- Suspension, offence or insult: the House
The Speaker enforces the penalties (Rules 14 (5), and (6), and 303 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament).
· Procedure:
- Warning for irrelevance, direction to discontinue the speech (Rule 273 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament)
- Order to withdraw, offence or insult (Rule 15 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament)
- Naming and suspension, offence or insult (Rule 16 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament)
- Suspension of the sitting (Rule 17 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament)
· Penalties foreseen for violation of the rules of conduct:
- Loss of mandate (Art. 67 (1) (d) in connection with Art. 66 (2) (dd) of the Constitution; incompatibilities)
- Penalty of BDT 1,000 for each day on which the MP sits or votes (Art. 69 of the Constitution; incompatibilities)
· Competent body to judge such cases/to impose penalties:
- Loss of mandate: the Election Commission
- Penalty:
· Procedure (Art. 66 (4) and (5), and Art. 69 of the Constitution, Rule 178 (1), (2), and (4) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament). In this case, MPs have no means of recourse.
Also available:
Archive of past election results for this chamber
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