Reform Commissions of Bangladesh

It was based on the aspirations of the July Revolution and to establish universal consensus, the Chief Adviser of the Interim government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, formally announced on September 11, 2024, the formation of several reform commissions aimed at rebuilding the state of Bangladesh.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Subsequently, a total of 11 commissions were formed, including those for reforms in the Constitution, Electoral System, Police Administration, Judicial System, Anti-Corruption Commission, Public Administration, Local Government, Health Affairs, Women's Affairs, Labour Rights and Mass Media.^[6][7][8][9] Among them, four commissions submitted their reports to Yunus on January 15, 2025.^{[10][11][12][13]} Additionally, a six-member task force, led by Ahsan H. Mansur, governor of Bangladesh Bank, was formed to reform the banking sector.^[14]

In June 2024, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh invalidated a 2018 government circular that had abolished the freedom fighter quota. In response, fresh protests erupted across the country, led by the group Students Against Discrimination, demanding reforms to the quota system. The government's crackdown on the movement turned violent, resulting in the deaths of 2,000 protesters. This brutal response triggered a nationwide non-cooperation movement, which ultimately led to the fall of the Hasina-led government. Following the situation, at the request of student leaders, Muhammad Yunus agreed to lead an interim government. With the success of the movement to overthrow the government, reform commissions were formed with the aim of establishing a new framework for governance based on an anti-authoritarian and anti-fascist political system.

It is to establish a representative and effective democracy in Bangladesh by ensuring free, fair, and participatory elections through the reform of the existing electoral system, the interim government formed the Electoral System Reform Commission to prepare a report with necessary recommendations for electoral reform.^[15] On October 3, 2024, the commission was constituted with eight members, headed by Badiul Alam Majumdar, through a gazette notification issued by the Cabinet Division. The Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs is providing secretarial support to the commission, while the Election Commission Secretariat is assisting the commission for operational convenience.^[16]

On October 3, 2024, the interim government of Bangladesh formed the "Judicial Reform Commission" through a notification to propose necessary reforms aimed at making the judiciary independent, impartial, and effective.^[17] The commission, led by Justice Shah Abu Naeem Mominur Rahman, former Justice of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, comprises eight members and is working towards preparing proposals for judicial reforms.^[18]

On October 3, 2024, the interim government of Bangladesh formed the "Anti-Corruption Reform Commission" through a notification to eliminate systemic corruption, reform institutions, and restore transparency in governance.^[19] The commission, led by Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), comprises eight members and is working towards preparing proposals for anti-corruption reforms.^[20][21]

The Constitutional Reform Commission was established by the Interim government in September 2024 with a purpose to prepare a report on the reasons behind the past constitutional failures and to create a roadmap for holding a constituent assembly election to draft and adopt a new, inclusive, democratic constitution, ensuring the inviolability of human dignity.^{[22][23][24][25]}

The Public Administration Reform Commission was formed on October 3, 2024, through a notification to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability in public service by proposing necessary reforms in administrative structures and governance practices.^[26] This commission, was led by Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, former chairman of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, comprises nine members and is working towards preparing proposals for public administration reforms.^[27]

The Women's Affairs Reform Commission was established by the Interim government in November 2024 with a purpose to prepare a report on the reasons behind the Women's equal rights, restoring their dignity & respect in society and reducing decrimination.^[28][29][30]

The Yunus ministry formed eleven reform commissions to reform perceived important areas of the government. The Head of Commission will have a status of a Justice of Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.^[31]

The details of the head of commission and members are as follows.^{[32][33][34][35]}

On 15 January 2025, four reform commissions, including Election, Anti-Corruption, Police, and Constitutional, submitted their reports to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.^[36][37]