'Absolute Faith in Almighty Allah' to replace secularism in Constitution: Salahuddin

A referendum will be needed to endorse fundamental changes to the constitution, said Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed at a briefing held at the Parliament complex in the capital on Sunday.

As per the committee’s proposals, changes to the Preamble, four key Articles and the articles concerning the caretaker government system will require a referendum on top of the parliamentary majority, said Salahuddin, also president of the parliamentary committee on constitutional amendments.

Salahuddin made the remarks after the committee held its third round of views exchange meetings on the proposed amendments with editors of media outlets and leaders of journalist associations.

He said that “Absolute Trust and Faith in Almighty Allah” will be restored to the Preamble and Article 8, replacing the exiting state policy of secularism, Salahuddin said.

Though the issue was not discussed during political consensus talks on July Charter during the interim government’s tenure, it would be nonetheless incorporated into the constitution to honour the ruling BNP’s election pledge to the people, Salahuddin said.

If the proposed bicameral legislature is formed, any changes to the constitution will require two-thirds majority in the lower house and 50% majority in the upper house.

However, even after securing the required majority in both houses, people’s referendum will be needed for enacting certain fundamental constitutional amendments, the home minister added. For example, changes to Article 8 and the Preamble will require the people’s backing following parliamentary approval.

Furthermore, changes to Articles 48, 56 and 142 which correspond to the president’s role; prime minister and the cabinet’s selection process and roles; and constitutional amendments will also need the voters’ backing in a referendum to become valid, Salahuddin said.

The constitutional amendment committee has also proposed subjecting changes to the provisions on the caretaker government to the referendum process, he added.

The committee is prioritising July Charter for the constitutional amendment process, he said.

Salahuddin also said that senior journalists called for the inclusion of Opposition lawmakers in the committee.

The committee would welcome the Opposition lawmakers into the panel whenever they wish to join, Salahuddin said, adding the current members want to complete the constitutional amendment process through consensus and avoid divisions.

The proposed amendments will be formulated as a bill and presented before lawmakers in the first parliamentary session next year, Salahuddin added.

The committee has expedited efforts to finalise its report by December, he said.