KEY FACTS Joined Commonwealth: 1972 Population: 156,595,000 (2013) GDP p.c. growth: 3.7% p.a. 1990–2013 UN HDI 2014: World ranking 146 Official language: Bangla Time: GMT plus 6 hrs Currency: Taka (Tk) Geography Area: 143,998 sq km Coastline: 580 km Capital: Dhaka The People’s Republic of Bangladesh is a fertile and densely populated delta country in southern Asia bordered by the Bay of Bengal, India and Myanmar (formerly Burma). Constitution Status: Republic Legislature: Jatiya Sangsad Independence: 1971 Bangladesh is a republic with a non-executive President. Under the Twelfth Constitutional Amendment (1991), there is a parliamentary system. The unicameral parliament (Jatiya Sangsad) comprises 300 directly elected members from geographical constituencies for fiveyear terms, plus 50 seats reserved for women nominated by political parties – based on their share of the elected seats – and then voted on by sitting lawmakers. The allocation of seats reserved for women was provided by the Fourteenth Constitutional Amendment (2004). One parliamentary candidate can stand in up to three constituencies. If a candidate wins in more than one constituency, a by-election or by-elections are called. Parliament may sit no longer than five years. Constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority of parliament. Executive power is with the Prime Minister, who heads a council of ministers (the cabinet) and whose advice is necessary for all presidential acts. The head of state is the President, who is elected by the national parliament for a five-year term. The presidency is a largely ceremonial role, although the President appoints members of the cabinet and the judiciary, and has the power to dissolve parliament. The Thirteenth Constitutional Amendment (1996) required a nonpartisan caretaker administration to oversee the election process. However, following a Supreme Court judgment in May 2011, which had found it to be illegal, on 30 June 2011 the Jatiya Sangsad repealed the Thirteenth Amendment. Commonwealth Governance 138 Handbook 2014/15 In November 2007 the caretaker government declared the independence of the judiciary from the executive, following a directive issued by the Supreme Court in December 1999, in accordance with Article 22 of the Constitution of Bangladesh. Previous elected governments of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Awami League had effectively filibustered implementing the directive. Judicial system Supreme court: Supreme Court of Bangladesh Ministry: Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs The justice system comprises the Supreme Court, a nationwide system of criminal and civil courts, and magistrates courts in the major cities. The Supreme Court judges are appointed by the President of the republic. The many special courts and tribunals include the labour courts, family courts, money loan courts, bankruptcy courts, income tax Bangladesh
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