Government of Bangladesh

Head of state

The President serves as the head of state, primarily performing ceremonial duties, while the Prime Minister, as the head of government, holds actual executive authority. The President is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. The President is elected by the legislature for a five-year term and normally exercises limited powers, which are substantially expanded during the tenure of a caretaker government to oversee the transition to a new administration. Bangladesh has a unique system for the transfer of power: at the end of a government’s term, authority is temporarily handed over to a non-partisan caretaker government, drawn from civil society, for three months to conduct general elections and transfer power to the newly elected representatives. This system was first practiced in 1991 and was incorporated into the Constitution through the 14th Amendment in 1996.

As head of state, the President has the power to grant pardons, commute death sentences, or reduce punishments. In certain circumstances, the President also performs limited legislative and judicial functions as provided by the Constitution.

Head of government

The Prime Minister is the head of government of Bangladesh. In accordance with Article 56(3) of the Constitution, the Prime Minister is ceremonially appointed by the President from among the members of parliament who, in the President’s opinion, command the support of the majority of members.

The cabinet, headed by the Prime Minister, consists of selected ministers who collectively exercise executive authority under the Constitution. As head of government, the Prime Minister holds the supreme executive power and directs the overall governance of Bangladesh.

Cabinet and ministries

Main article: Cabinet of Bangladesh

The executive branch of the Government of Bangladesh administers the state and implements laws enacted by the Jatiya Sangsad. It is responsible for maintaining internal law and order, conducting foreign relations, and protecting the defence, independence, and sovereignty of the country.

The Cabinet is headed by the Prime Minister and consists of Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, and Deputy Ministers. According to the Constitution of Bangladesh, all members of the Cabinet must be members of the Jatiya Sangsad, or they must be elected to the Parliament within six months after their appointment.

Each ministry is led politically by a Minister and administered by a Secretary, a senior civil servant who oversees policy implementation and manages the overall operation of the ministry and its subordinate divisions.

Agencies

Main article: Government agencies in Bangladesh

The executive calculates the income and expenditure of the government. It also performs various public welfare services such as; education, agriculture, establishment of industry, trade and commerce, land reform, tax and revenue collection. Beside this, it also accepts and implements various development projects.

Government in parliament

The legislature of Bangladesh is unicameral. Called the Jatiya Sangsad in Bengali, it is the parliament of Bangladesh. The speaker presides over meetings of the Jatiya Sangsad and conducts its business in an orderly fashion. The current Jatiya Sangsad contains 350 seats, including 50 seats reserved exclusively for women and 300 seats for elected members, which are apportioned on elected party position in the parliament. The twelfth national parliamentary election was held on 7 January 2024. The recently resigned speaker is Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, who was presiding over the tenth, eleventh and twelfth parliament. She is the first woman to have held this office.

Local government

Main article: Local government in Bangladesh

At the local government level, the country is administratively structured into divisions, districts, subdistricts (upazilas), unions, and villages. The lowest level of local government representative are local officials of union council those who are elected at the union level election. All larger administrative units are run by members of the civil service.

Finance

Economy

Taxation

Main article: Taxation in Bangladesh

Annual budget

Issues

Corruption

Main article: Corruption in Bangladesh

Notes

References

References

1. (1972-11-04). "Article 1". [[Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division]], [[Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs]].
2. (1972-11-04). "Part VI: The Executive". [[Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division]], [[Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs]].
3. (1972-11-04). "Part V: The Legislature". [[Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division]], [[Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs]].
4. (1972-11-04). "Part VI: The Judiciary". [[Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division]], [[Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs]].
5. ''14th Amendment'', Constitution of Bangladesh, 1996.