89% of People Oppose More Than Two Terms for a Prime Minister

A press conference organized by Citizens for Good Governance (Sujon) revealed that 89% of people support a provision limiting an individual to a maximum of two terms as prime minister. Additionally, 71% favor proportional representation (PR) for seat allocation in the upper house. These findings emerged from a public opinion survey conducted by Sujon to finalize its proposed national charter.

The survey results were presented at a press conference held on Tuesday afternoon at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity. Sujon’s National Committee member Ekram Hossain shared the findings, stating that the survey was conducted from May to July this year, collecting opinions from 1,373 people across the country through 40 questions and 15 citizen dialogues.

Key findings include: - 69% support a bicameral legislature. - 87% agree that one person should not simultaneously hold the roles of prime minister, party leader, and parliamentary leader. - 63% favor reserved women’s seats in the lower house through a rotational system, while 69% support reserving 30 seats for women in the upper house. - 86% support appointing a deputy speaker from the opposition in the lower house, and 82% favor the same in the upper house. - 87% want the Election Commission’s approval for executive actions that could influence elections. - 86% support the Election Commission certifying the fairness, credibility, and acceptability of elections within 48 hours, with results published as a public notice. - 88% favor auditing election expenses and canceling candidacies or election results for those providing false information. - 92% believe identified terrorists, extortionists, corrupt individuals, and convicts should be disqualified from party membership. - 83% support forming a neutral government for 120 days during elections. - 90% want constitutional recognition for the Anti-Corruption Commission, Human Rights Commission, Information Commission, and a proposed Local Government Commission. - 80% support forming a National Conference Committee (NCC) for appointing constitutional postholders and chiefs of the three forces. - 88% favor expanding the scope of fundamental rights, and 84% want these rights to be unconditional. - 85% support requiring a two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament to amend the constitution. - 76% favor renewing party registration every five years. - 91% support transparent party financial transactions and audited accounts through banking channels. - 83% want candidate nominations based on party members’ opinions. - 80% oppose parties having affiliated or foreign branches. - 90% support establishing a permanent independent police commission. - 88% favor permanent High Court benches in every divisional city for institutional independence and decentralization. - 84% support granting autonomy to local government. - 85% favor abolishing the government counsel system and appointing competent professionals. - 81% support establishing courts at the upazila level. - 90% favor forming a Local Government Commission. Sujon’s secretary, Badiul Alam Majumdar, stated that the survey proves people support reforms. He noted that existing systems, processes, and institutions enabled Sheikh Hasina to become authoritarian, emphasizing the need for fundamental changes to establish a democratic state. Dhaka University’s Mass Communication and Journalism Department professor Robayet Ferdous also spoke at the press conference.