The National Consensus Commission has put forward a new proposal regarding the formation of an upper house of parliament, suggesting the creation of a 76-member Senate whose members would be elected directly by public vote.
The proposal was tabled on Monday during the 13th session of the second phase of the commission’s ongoing national dialogue, which brought together top leaders from various political parties and alliances.
According to the commission, each administrative district and city corporation would serve as an individual electoral constituency for the Senate.
One representative would be elected from each of these 76 areas—64 districts and 12 city corporations—through direct voting by the public.
The commission also proposed that elections for the Senate and the existing unicameral National Parliament (lower house) be held simultaneously.
Earlier, the Constitutional Reform Commission had recommended a bicameral legislature for Bangladesh, naming the proposed upper chamber the "Senate."
According to that recommendation, the Senate would play an essential role in legislative review and act as a critical check on executive power.
