Government and Politics of Bangladesh

Government Type

parliamentary democracy

Administrative Divisions

6 divisions; Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, and Sylhet

Legal System

based on English common law

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Bangladesh dual citizenship recognized: yes, but limited to select countries residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Mohammad Shahabuddin CHUPPU (since 24 April 2023); note - the president's duties are largely ceremonial, with executive power resting primarily with the prime minister; however, the president's role becomes more significant during periods when Parliament is dissolved and a caretaker government is installed to supervise elections head of government: Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA (since 6 January 2009, with a brief interruption in 2006–2008); note - Sheikh HASINA and her cabinet resigned in August 2024 following a mass uprising, after which an interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad YUNUS was formed as Chief Adviser cabinet: Cabinet selected by the prime minister and appointed by the president elections: President elected by the National Parliament for a five-year term; Mohammad Shahabuddin CHUPPU was elected unopposed by Parliament and sworn in on 24 April 2023; following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats is typically appointed prime minister by the president; in periods of political transition, interim or caretaker arrangements may govern until a new elected government is established election results: Mohammad Shahabuddin CHUPPU elected unopposed by the National Parliament; percent of National Parliament vote - NA

Legislative Branch

Unicameral National Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad; 350 seats total, comprising 300 seats elected by popular vote from single territorial constituencies and 50 seats reserved for women, allocated proportionally among parties based on their share of the 300 directly elected seats; members serve five-year terms. Elections: The most recent general election was held on 7 January 2024. The previous general election was held on 30 December 2018. Election results (2024): The Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina, won a fourth consecutive term in a vote that was largely boycotted by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies. The Awami League secured approximately 223 seats, with independent candidates and smaller allied parties accounting for the remainder. Voter turnout was reported to be low amid the boycott and widespread political tensions. Following the election, a mass uprising in August 2024 led to Sheikh Hasina's resignation and departure from the country. An interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus as Chief Adviser, was subsequently formed to oversee a transitional period, with fresh elections anticipated after necessary political and electoral reforms are completed.

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court (the chief justices and other judges are appointed by the president)

Political Parties

Awami League or AL [Sheikh HASINA]; Bangladesh Communist Party or BCP [Saifuddin Ahmed MANIK]; Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP [Khaleda ZIA]; Islami Oikya Jote or IOJ [Mufti Fazlul Haq AMINI]; Jamaat-e-Islami or JI [Motiur Rahman NIZAMI]; Jatiya Party or JP (Ershad faction) [Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD]; Jatiya Party (Manzur faction) [Naziur Rahman MANZUR]

Head of State

President Mohammad Shahabuddin CHUPPU

Head of Government

Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA (since 6 January 2009, with a brief interruption in 2006–2008)

Cabinet

Cabinet selected by the prime minister and appointed by the president

Elections

The most recent general election was held on 7 January 2024. The previous general election was held on 30 December 2018.

Election Results

The Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina, won a fourth consecutive term in a vote that was largely boycotted by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies. The Awami League secured approximately 223 seats, with independent candidates and smaller allied parties accounting for the remainder. Voter turnout was reported to be low amid the boycott and widespread political tensions. Following the election, a mass uprising in August 2024 led to Sheikh Hasina's resignation and departure from the country. An interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus as Chief Adviser, was subsequently formed to oversee a transitional period, with fresh elections anticipated after necessary political and electoral reforms are completed.

Constitution

4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972, suspended following coup of 24 March 1982, restored 10 November 1986, amended many times

Independence

16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is known as Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh

National Holiday

Independence Day, 26 March (1971); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh

International Organization Participation

AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Shamsher Mobin CHOWDHURY chancery: 3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-0183 FAX: [1] (202) 244-5366 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Pat BUTENIS embassy: Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212 mailing address: G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000 telephone: [880] (2) 885-5500 FAX: [880] (2) 882-3744

Capital City

Dhaka

Location

23 43 N, 90 24 E

Time Difference

UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

the origins of the name are unclear, but some sources state that the city's site was originally called "dhakka," meaning "watchtower," and that the area served as a watch-station for Bengal rulers

U.S. Embassy, Dhaka, Bangladesh Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka, 1212 Embassy Telephone: (88-02) 885-5500 American Citizen Services telephone: (88-02) 882-3805 Emergency after-hours telephone: (88-02) 885-5500, press “0” and ask for the duty officer American Citizen Services E-mail: DhakaACS@state.gov Facsimile: (88-02) 882-4449 The Consular Section’s American Citizens Services unit operates Sunday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All American Citizens Services are by appointment only, except in the event of an emergency.

Military Branches

Bangladesh Defense Force: Bangladesh Army (Sena Bahini), Bangladesh Navy (Noh Bahini, BN), Bangladesh Air Force (Biman Bahini, BAF)

Service Age and Obligation

16-19 years of age for voluntary military service; Bangladeshi birth and 10th-grade education required; initial obligation 15 years