Prime Minister in Bangladesh

Prime Minister of People’s Republic of Bangladesh

Prime Minister constitutionally executive chief of government under the 12th Amendment of the constitution. Prior to the amendment, a Presidential system was in force in the country between 1975 and 1991 and a Parliamentary system between 1972 and 1975. According to Articles 55 and 56 of the Constitution, the Cabinet or the Council of Ministers is headed by the Prime Minister and comprises such other ministers, state and deputy ministers as the Prime Minister may determine from time to time. The cabinet is collectively responsible to the jatiya sangsad.

The Constitution provides that not less than nine tenths of the cabinet shall be appointed from among the members of the Jatiya Sangsad and not more than one tenth from among persons qualified for election as members of the Sangsad. The President appoints as Prime Minister the member of the Sangsad who appears to him to command the support of a majority of members of the Sangsad.

Article 57 of the Constitution provides that the office of the Prime Minister shall be vacant if he/she resigns from office at any time by placing his/her resignation to the President, or if he/she ceases to be a member of Sangsad. If the Prime Minister ceases to retain the support of a majority of the members of Sangsad he/she shall either resign his/her office or advise the President in writing to dissolve the Sangsad.

Provision of a Non-party caretaker government for a 3 months period headed by a Chief Adviser for holding parliamentary elections in the country has been incorporated in the Constitution through the Constitution (Thirteenth Amendment) Act of 1996. The executive power of the state vests with the Chief Adviser during the tenure of the Caretaker Government.