9-member Constitution Reform Commission formed

The interim government on Monday announced the official formation of a nine-member reform commission to provide recommendations on overhauling the country’s constitution.

The notification issued in this regard was ordered by President Mohammed Shahabuddin and signed by Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain.

The commission would prepare its report on recommendations within 90 days starting 6 October and submit it to the Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, as per the notification. In their report, commission officials would have to consider the opinions of relevant stakeholders.

The commission would provide recommendations to the transitional government for amending the constitution with a view to empowering the people, establishing effective democratic practices, and facilitating the formation of future governments that would be truly representative of the people, the notification said.

Illinois State University Distinguished Professor Ali Riaz leads the commission. Other members are: Dr Sumaiya Khair and Dr Muhammad Ekramul Haque, both law professors at University of Dhaka (DU); Barrister Mohammad Moyeen Alam Ferozi; Barrister Imran Siddiqui; Supreme Court Advocate Dr Sharif Bhuiyan; writer Firoz Ahmed; human rights activist Md Mustain Billah; and student representative Mahfuz Alam.

The Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the law ministry will extend secretarial support to the commission. All other government offices, organisations, departments and ministries would provide the required information to the commission while extending all necessary support.

With the formation of the constitution reform commission, the list of six commissions for reforming state apparatus has been completed.

On 3 October, the interim government had announced the formation of five reform commissions for overhauling the election system, police force, judiciary, Anti-Corruption Commission, and public administration.