The government has formed a full nine-member Constitutional Reform Commission, headed by political scientist, author, and professor Dr. Ali Riaz.
On Monday (October 7), the Cabinet Division issued a notification with this information.
The notification states that in order to establish a representative and effective democracy and empower the people, the commission has been formed with the approval of the chief adviser of the interim government. The commission is tasked with reviewing and evaluating the existing constitution and preparing a report with recommendations for necessary reforms.
Other members of the commission include Professor Sumaiya Khair, a faculty member of the Law Department at the University of Dhaka; Barrister Imran Siddiqui; Professor Muhammad Ikramul Haq, also from the Law Department at Dhaka University; Supreme Court lawyer Dr. Sharif Bhuiyan; Barrister M. Moin Alam Firozi; writer Firoz Ahmed; writer and human rights activist Md. Mustain Billah; and student representative Md. Mahfuz Alam.
The Constitutional Reform Commission began its activities on October 6. According to the notification, the commission will consider all relevant opinions and submit its report to the chief adviser of the interim government within 90 days (three months).
The notification also stated that the office of the commission will be determined by the government. The head and members of the commission will receive rank, salary, honorarium, and benefits as determined by the government. However, if the head or any member wishes to work without remuneration or benefits, the chief adviser of the interim government can approve it.
All relevant ministries, departments, offices, and agencies will provide the necessary data and full cooperation to the commission as requested. The commission also has the authority to include additional members as needed. The Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs will provide secretarial support to the commission, as stated in the notification.
It is noteworthy that on September 11, in a speech to the nation, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser of the interim government, announced the formation of six commissions and the heads of these commissions. On that day, he mentioned lawyer Shahdeen Malik as the head of the Constitutional Reform Commission. Later, on September 18, a letter was sent from the Cabinet Division to the Secretary of the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Law Ministry, appointing Ali Riaz as the head of the commission.
Subsequently, on October 3, commissions for electoral system reform, police reform, judicial reform, anti-corruption, and public administration reform were formed.
