The Parliamentary Constitution Amendment Committee is set to begin its work with 12 members after opposition parties declined to join the body. The committee’s first meeting will be held at 12:00 pm on Tuesday (August 4) in the Cabinet Room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, with Home Minister and Committee Chairman Salahuddin Ahmed presiding.

According to the Parliament Secretariat, the inaugural meeting is expected to focus on introducing committee members and setting the agenda for future meetings. Sources said substantive discussions on proposed constitutional amendments are likely to begin from the committee’s second meeting.

The current government initiated the constitutional amendment process following the July 2024 mass uprising and subsequent calls for state reforms. Since then, political parties, civil society representatives, and constitutional experts have debated issues including the balance of power, executive authority, the electoral system, judicial independence, fundamental rights, and the effectiveness of constitutional institutions.

Against this backdrop, Parliament decided to establish the Constitution Amendment Committee based on national consensus. The proposal to form the committee was placed on July 13. However, opposition parties have consistently argued that the Constitution should undergo comprehensive reform rather than piecemeal amendments.

Although a 17-member committee had originally been proposed, five seats were reserved for opposition members. Parliamentary authorities had indicated that the committee would be reconstituted if the opposition nominated its representatives. However, as no nominations were submitted within the stipulated timeframe, the committee will commence its work with 12 members.

While placing the proposal in Parliament, Chief Whip Mohammad Nurul Islam said the committee was formed under Rule 266 of the Rules of Procedure, with efforts made to include representatives from all parliamentary parties, alliances, and independent lawmakers. He added that opposition parties were contacted but did not submit the names of their nominees.

The proposed 17-member committee was to include seven members from the BNP, one each from the Bangladesh Jatiya Party, Ganosamhati Andolon, Gonodhikar Parishad, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, one independent lawmaker, and five representatives from opposition parties.

The current 12-member committee is chaired by Salahuddin Ahmed. Its members are Chief Whip Mohammad Nurul Islam, Mohammad Asaduzzaman, Zainul Abedin, Mohammad Jonaed Abdur Rahim Saki, Andaleeve Rahman Partho, Mohammad Nurul Haque, Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, Farzana Sharmin, Shakila Farzana, Mohammad Mahmudul Haque Rubel, and Mohammad Oliullah.

Meanwhile, opposition party Jamaat-e-Islami staged a walkout from Parliament in protest against the formation of the special committee, with lawmakers from the opposition alliance also leaving the session.

Opposition leaders have maintained that a separate constitutional reform process should be undertaken instead of amendments. Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman has previously argued that reforms should be implemented in line with the reform charter prepared through discussions by the National Consensus Commission and based on public opinion.

He also claimed that following the political transition in 2024, political parties had reached consensus on a reform charter through the National Consensus Commission, which included commitments to implement reforms through a referendum.

Despite the opposition’s objections and absence, the Constitution Amendment Committee will formally begin its activities on Tuesday. While the first meeting is expected to address organizational matters, the committee is expected to begin deliberations on key constitutional changes in subsequent sessions.