Bangladesh · Government
Government and administration in Bangladesh
How the executive, legislature and administrative state are organised, and which body is responsible for what.
The three branches
- Head of state — President
- Elected by Parliament; ceremonial apart from the appointment of the Chief Justice.
- Executive — Prime Minister and Cabinet
- Holds effective executive power and commands the parliamentary majority.
- Legislative — Jatiya Sangsad
- Unicameral, 350 seats including 50 reserved for women.
- Judiciary — Supreme Court
- Two divisions; judicial appointments made by the President.
- Oversight — Anti-Corruption Commission and Comptroller and Auditor General
- Constitutional and statutory oversight bodies.
How legislation is made
A unicameral Parliament passes bills by simple majority; the President may return a bill once but must assent if it is passed again. Constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority. Article 70 removes a member's seat if they vote against their party, which sharply limits legislative independence from the executive. Ordinances may be issued between sessions.
Enforcement institutions
- Bangladesh Police
- National force including the Detective Branch and the Rapid Action Battalion.
- Anti-Corruption Commission
- Statutory body investigating and prosecuting corruption offences.
- National Board of Revenue
- Income tax, VAT and customs.
- Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission
- Capital markets regulation.
- Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms
- Company and partnership registration.
Government bodies and regulators
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