Bangladesh Pursues Constitutional Reform Amid Political Turmoil

As Bangladesh undertakes constitutional reform, experts emphasize the need for a consensus-driven process to ensure political stability, VOA reported yesterday.

Following the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August, concerns have arisen over the exclusion of her Awami League party from shaping the nation’s future. An interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has formed a constitutional reform panel to address the country’s 52-year-old constitution.

The panel faces a critical decision: amend the existing constitution or draft a new one. Legal experts warn that successful reform requires the involvement of all major stakeholders to prevent violence and instability. Richard Albert from the University of Texas highlights the importance of public engagement and warns against creating unattainable promises within the constitution.

With political divisions entrenched between the Awami League and the Bangladesh National Party, experts caution that building consensus will be challenging. The interim government must navigate these complexities carefully to avoid repeating past failures in constitutional reform.