By Shahidur Rahman, PhD

1. The Problem: Since independence,Bangladesh constitution has been generating many political and social crises. For an independent and fair election, the formation of a neutral government, make a very sensitive political issues and divided the nation which propel chaos and confusions. For this we need a Comprehensive Structural Reforms for the Operation and Management of Bangladesh Constitutional Matrix.

2. The Methodologies of the Structural Reforms

The Methodologies are (a) Mind Mapping; (b) Brainstorming; (c) Peaceful Debating; (d) Scenario Simulations involving experts’ opinions; and finally (e) Collective Intelligence Decision Making.

3. A Scenario for the Simulation

To meet the challenges of political, social crises and having a free and fair parliament election, it is crucial to add the “House of Senate”, to the Bangladesh Constitution Matrix side by side of the “House of Parliament”. It will make both Parliament and “House of Senate” accountable to each other and solve any political crisis, and the common people’s sufferings. The head of the “House of Senate” will be the President of the country and the head of the “House of Parliament” will be the Prime Minister of the country. The advisors of the House of Senate could be named as Senator Generalsand the advisors of the House of Commons as the Ministers.

1. Formation of the “House of Senate”, to act as neutral government:

(i) Initially, under the co-ordination of the Honorable President of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh [PRB], through the assistance of Supreme Court, the formation of the “House of Senate” be made, which will also be acted as the “Neutral Government”.

(ii) One Hundred and One Senators Members [Proportionate representation of the 8 Divisions, 11 City Councils, 64 Districts, 493 Sub-Districts and density of population] of the “House of Senate”, will be elected from the “Jury of the Board of Justice of Peace” and must not be Parliament members. The Senators will act also like the “Jury of the Board of Justice of Peace” process for the overall country. They will be elected by the administration of Bangladesh Supreme Court and Election Commission.

(iii) Senator Generals and PRBG President will be elected from the Senators’, who will also act as the “Neutral Government” for the Parliament Members Election coordination.

(iv) This House of Senate will work for the PRB President’s “Advisory Council”. PRBG President will make the decision through the consensus of the Senator Generals.The PRBG President as Chief of the House of Senate is just a coordinating position. Every decision of the Interim government must be made through the Senator Generals consensus. There are also Neutral Election Commission and others Law Enforcement Authorities.

(v)Electionof the House of Senate, Senator Generals and PRB President will be held through ranking the most neutral “Justice of Peace Members”. If the Bangladesh Supreme Court elect 101 Senators among the Group of “Justice of Peace members, then each Senators will rank the remaining one hundred senators in chronological progression by selecting the most neutral senator as one and the second most neutral as two and so on. At the end, each Senators ranking will be added together to find out who is the number one neutral Senator among the group. In this way, the most ten neutral senators will be elected as “Senator Generals” among the House of Senate members. It would be like electing neutral advisory experts from a neutral Bangladeshi “Jury of the Board members” who would help to conduct Parliamentary Election and make Parliament decision accountable through the PRBG President.

(vi). This should be acceptable by most of the common Bangladesh nationals andshould be legalized by the yes or no vote (referendum) of the overall Bangladeshi common voters.

1. House of Parliament Members:

The election procedure for the “House of Parliament” will be according to the Bangladesh Constitution as it is.

4. Execution and Duration of the Senate and Parliament Members

Any overall major Constitutions Reforms must be executed by the Yes! And No! Votes [i.e. Referendum] of all the eligible members of the entire country.

If the election of the House of Parliament will be held in the month November of the year 2024, then the election of the house of senate could be held well before that. Due to this non-overlapping procedure, the election of one could be held under the jurisdiction of another. This House of Senate will help to act as Neutral Government to perform the free and fair election for the Bangladesh Parliament.

To reduce the political tensions, crisis, and hostilities, the duration of Senate and Parliament Members should not be more than two sessions.

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, I must say that the Leaders are Teachers and facilitators for future Leaders generations. They must know to identify the weakness and how to transform those weaknesses into strength. The fate of our future Bangladesh is often debated nationally and internationally, but few peaceful, active action and execution plans are undertaken.  We have lots of vision but few actions. We must strive hard to ensure that vision is realized with its full potential, hopes and expectations. Our greatest task is to put all visions and scenarios together for the betterment of Bangladesh development.

The people of Bangladesh have suffered much to maintain a life of dignity and self-respect. But they have never failed in their history. By the theory of the invisible reactionary forces, they always show their courage, strength and overcoming leadership during crisis and crucial time. There is always a prosperous future for them that will bring stable, peaceful, hunger and crime free Bangladesh.

Current incidences revealed that Bangladeshis Nationals are committed and striving hard for the betterment of the common people and overall, our nation. It may not be easy initially as it was not easy to form a Caretaker Government initially. Our common people would like to pay a special tribute to those Leaders, Freedom Fighters and Policy makers who somehow or rather contributed to the nation building. They forget their interest enough to gain a free, fair and prosperous future. But they don’t like to lead their livesin political, social trapsof chaos and confusionand losing their lives any further. I hope that you will consider this proposal.

https://youtu.be/LTUhynXEEMw?si=YD_zJYlUAh688qOQ

Shahidur Rahman, PhD,

ODE professor in Economics and Econometrics,

Was Chairperson, KSA Election Commission, Kazakhstan,

Was Chairperson, Econometric Modeling Unit, NTU, Singapore.

shahidur.ntu@gmail.com