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The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has urged the National Consensus Commission (NCC) to abandon its proposal to introduce an Upper House in the 13th National Parliament, warning that it would complicate Bangladesh's existing Westminster-style system without ensuring meaningful accountability.
At a national dialogue titled "Proposed Upper House in the National Parliament: Can it Ensure Accountability of the Majority Party in Parliament?" held at Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka on Thursday, CPD experts, academics, and policymakers shared research findings and debated the necessity and implications of creating a bicameral legislature.
Presenting the keynote paper, CPD Research Director Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem said that the proposed Upper House "lacks both logic and necessity" in Bangladesh's current parliamentary context.
"There is no structural or political justification for a second chamber. It will only introduce new layers of complexity without ensuring accountability or inclusiveness," he said.
He recommended forming a Parliamentary Commission for Democracy, Legislative, Executive and Legal Affairs-an independent oversight body that could serve as the "third eye" of the legislature-to enhance transparency, empower the Speaker, and strengthen the existing system.
"The Speaker often feels powerless in crucial decisions. A commission can support and strengthen the office to make parliament more effective," he observed.
Dr Moazzem explained that the commission would provide both pre-legislative and post-legislative scrutiny, similar to the European Commission for Democracy through Law.
"It would strengthen democratic institutions, protect fundamental rights, and encourage local and regional self-government," he said. "The idea is to make democracy work better within the current structure, not duplicate it."
He also urged the NCC to focus on judicial, electoral, and local government reforms in its final proposal list.
"The 13th parliament should prioritise legal and institutional reforms to make the existing parliamentary system functional," he said, adding that Bangladesh must first end the cycle of election-related boycotts and rebuild trust through free, fair, and transparent polls.
Co-presenting the keynote, Professor Nizam Ahmed of the University of Chittagong said a bicameral system would not automatically bring accountability.
"Without functional parliamentary committees and genuine opposition participation, an Upper House will merely add another layer of bureaucracy," he warned.
The dialogue, organised in collaboration with the European Union in Bangladesh, brought together representatives from major political parties and civil society groups.
BNP Organising Secretary Shama Obaid Islam said her party's 31-point agenda envisions reforms to protect citizens' rights and strengthen democracy.
"BNP wants a free, fair, and participatory election. We also support the idea of an Upper House to ensure accountability, but the selection process must be transparent and inclusive," she said.
National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain strongly advocated for establishing a bicameral parliament, saying it is vital to curb constitutional crises and prevent authoritarianism.
"The Upper House can only work if its members are elected through proportional representation. Without that, the entire concept loses its relevance," he said.
He added that the current system allows any party with a two-thirds majority to amend the Constitution unilaterally, often to reflect partisan ideology rather than national consensus.
Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) leader Ruhin Hossain Prince cautioned that structural changes alone cannot guarantee accountability.
"Without democratic practices within political parties, even two chambers will fail to ensure checks and balances," he said.
Abul Hasan Rubel, central executive coordinator of the Ganosamhati Andolon, called for more transparency in political party financing and greater inclusion of marginalised groups.
"True reform begins at the grassroots. Strengthen local government and empower citizens to participate in democracy," he said.
EU REAFFIRMS SUPPORT
Michael Miller, ambassador and head of delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, reiterated the EU's commitment to supporting Bangladesh's political transition ahead of the national elections.
"The EU stands with Bangladesh as it prepares for elections early next year. But success cannot be measured only by the conduct of polls-it depends on structural reforms and stronger accountability," he said, noting that the EU is actively collaborating with the Election Commission and domestic partners on voter education and observation.
CALLS FOR INTERNAL REFORM
Head of the Election Reform Commission Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar said that creating an Upper House would be meaningless without democracy within political parties.
"Consensus does not mean uniformity. Differences of opinion must be respected and negotiated in a democratic way. Checks and balances must be institutionalised to prevent autocratic drift," he said.
Election Commission Reform Commission member Professor Abdul Alim said a bicameral legislature could help restrain executive overreach but warned it might also create political deadlocks.
"Reforms must be guided by pragmatism, not symbolism," he added.
Presiding over the discussion, CPD Distinguished Fellow Professor Rounaq Jahan said Bangladesh should fix fundamental weaknesses in the existing system before considering new structures.
"We urgently need a Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament. Strengthen what already exists before experimenting with new frameworks," she said.
Professor Asif M Shahan of Dhaka University's Department of Development Studies emphasised the importance of civic participation in political reform.
"Without public engagement, institutional reforms will remain superficial," he said.
The dialogue, attended by diplomats, politicians, and academics, highlighted a growing consensus that Bangladesh's path to accountability lies not in creating an Upper House, but in revitalising and democratising the existing parliament.
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