Lesson 1/44 min
Amendments 1–7 (1973–1986)
The rule
- Amendments are governed by Article 142
- A two-thirds vote of the members of Parliament is needed to pass an amendment bill
- Up to 12 November 2026 there have been 17 amendments; the last was in 2018
The first seven
| Amendment | Passed | What changed |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 15 July 1973 | Opened the way to trying war crimes and genocide; new Article 47A (Article 47 amended) |
| 2nd | 22 September 1973 | Emergency provisions; some fundamental rights can be suspended in an emergency |
| 3rd | 28 November 1974 | Article 2 amended to give effect to the 1974 India–Bangladesh agreement on enclaves and boundary lines (Berubari) |
| 4th | 25 January 1975 | Presidential government in place of the parliamentary system; one-party rule (BAKSAL); Parliament's powers and judicial independence curtailed |
| 5th | 6 April 1979 | Validated the proclamations and orders of the martial law authorities from 15 August 1975 to 9 April 1979 |
| 6th | July 1981 | Articles 51 and 66 amended (election as President from the Vice-President's office) |
| 7th | 11 November 1986 | Validated martial law proclamations, orders and laws from 24 March 1982 to 11 November 1986 |
Watch out: One reference book prints the date of introduction (for example 1st: 12 July 1973, 5th: 4 April 1979). Banglapedia gives the date of passing, which is used here. For the 7th the book ends the period on 9 November 1986; Banglapedia says 11 November 1986.
Memory trick: Memory trick: the 5th and 7th both validated military rule; the courts later struck both down.
Check yourself
Which amendment validated military acts from August 1975 to 1979?
At a glance
- 1
Amendments follow Article 142 and need a two-thirds vote in Parliament.
- 2
4th Amendment (25 January 1975): presidential government and one-party rule.
- 3
3rd Amendment (1974): enclaves and boundary agreement, Berubari.
- 4
The 5th (1979) and 7th (1986) validated martial law.
- 5
1st (1973): war-crimes trials; 2nd (1973): emergency provisions.