The Parliament (Jatya Sangsad) of Bangladesh

M Jashim Ali Chowdhury

Published in: Po Jen Yap and Rehan Abeyratne (eds) Routledge Handbook of Asian Parliaments, (Routledge 2023), pp 103-124

Link: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003109402-9

Abstract

The Parliament of Bangladesh (hereinafter, the Parliament) is officially known as the Jatiya Sangsad (House of the Nation). It is a unicameral legislature established under Article 65 of the Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh (hereinafter, the Constitution). Modelled on Westminster, the Parliament is entrusted with legislative powers, constitutional amendment power, financial and budgetary powers, and the powers of democratic oversight over the government. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet are drawn from the majority parliamentary party. The government remains in power so long as it bears the confidence of Parliament. As Bangladesh recognises constitutional supremacy, parliamentary laws and even constitutional amendments are subject to judicial review. The Supreme Court of Bangladesh is considered the guardian of the written Constitution and, hence, has the power of judicial review over executive and legislative actions. This chapter explains the structure, composition, powers, functions, and legislative process of the Parliament. The chapter also includes critical reflections on several of its institutional aspects.