Bangladesh interim govt set to continue for 12-18 months through ordinance

ISLAMABAD: The Bangladesh interim government will continue to operate through the Ordinance 2024 that can’t be questioned or challenged in any court till the formation of new parliament.

Reports emanating from Dhaka suggest that the ordinance has been approved by the ruling advisory council and could be promulgated anytime early this week. The action is being taken in the wake of recent demonstrations of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for pressing a schedule of polls in the country.

The army chief had an important meeting with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus the other day while three new advisers have been inducted in the council of advisers on Sunday.

According to reports, the draft ordinance states that any lacking in the formation of the interim government, the appointment of chief adviser, or any other advisor will not render any of their actions illegal solely for that reason. No questions regarding this can be raised in any court, nor can any legal case be filed. With these provisions, the draft of the interim government ordinance has been finalised. Although the draft was approved in the Advisers Council meeting in the third week of September, it has not yet been issued as an ordinance. It is now awaiting the issuance.

In the face of a student-led uprising, Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government was removed from power on August 5 and Hasina fled to India. The next day, the president dissolved the 12th National Parliament. On August 8, after consulting the Appellate Division, renowned economist Dr. Muhammad Yunus was appointed as chief adviser, and the interim government was formed.

Officials say that the relevant authority needs to address the constitutional crisis and give the interim government the power to carry out the executive functions of the state in the current situation. This ordinance is being issued for that purpose, and it will be issued by the president. It states that the interim government will consist of a chief adviser and as many advisers as deemed necessary by the chief adviser. To be eligible for the positions of chief adviser or adviser, the candidates must agree not to run in the elections for the 13th parliament or as public representatives in any local government institution.

Currently, the interim government includes Dr. Muhammad Yunus as chief adviser and 23 other advisers. The draft states that the interim government will assist and support the Election Commission to conduct free, fair, neutral, and participatory elections for members of parliament, as well as perform any other duties as prescribed by the constitution or other laws.

Neither the Supreme Court nor any other court or authority will have the power to question their legality or declare them invalid or void. With no fixed term, the caretaker administration will be in power until a new prime minister is appointed by the next (13th) parliament. The ordinance provides a legal foundation for the exercise of executive powers and declaration of a state of emergency. The term of the interim government remains unspecified, with varying estimates ranging from 18 months to the end of 2025.