Lesson 1/44 min
How the Jatiya Sangsad is built and run
The basics
- Article 65 names it the Jatiya Sangsad, in English the House of the Nation
- It has one chamber and holds the legislative power
- 350 seats in all: 300 directly elected + 50 reserved for women
- A term is 5 years, counted from the first sitting
- Seat no. 1 is Panchagarh, seat no. 300 is Bandarban
Numbers to remember
| Rule | Number |
|---|---|
| Quorum (members needed to run a sitting) | 60 members (Article 75) |
| Longest gap between the end of one session and the next | 60 days (Article 72) |
| Parliament must be summoned after the result is declared | within 30 days (Article 72) |
| Time to take the oath | 90 days from the first sitting (Article 67) |
| Seat falls vacant if absent without leave for | 90 consecutive sitting days (Article 67) |
Watch out: Many books say “a member absent for 90 days loses the seat”. The Constitution says 90 consecutive sitting days without the House's leave.
Who does what
| Office | Role |
|---|---|
| President | Summons, prorogues and dissolves the Sangsad |
| Speaker | Presides; gives the casting vote when votes are equal |
| Deputy Speaker | Presides when the Speaker is absent |
| Leader of the House | Usually the Prime Minister |
| Whip | Keeps party members together and in line |
Bills and budget
- A government bill is moved by a minister; a private bill by an ordinary member
- The budget is normally presented by the Finance Minister
- A bill needs the President's assent; a passed money bill cannot be sent back for reconsideration
Watch out: Article 70: a member who resigns from the party or votes against it loses the seat. This is the rule against “floor crossing”.
Did you know?: Reserved women's seats: 15 in 1973, 30 in 1979, none in the 4th Sangsad, 45 in 2004 (14th amendment), 50 today.
Check yourself
What is the quorum of the Sangsad?
At a glance
- 1
Jatiya Sangsad (House of the Nation): 350 seats = 300 elected + 50 reserved for women; term 5 years.
- 2
Quorum is 60; the longest gap between two sessions is 60 days.
- 3
A member absent for 90 consecutive sitting days without leave loses the seat (Article 67).
- 4
Article 70: resigning from the party or voting against it vacates the seat.
- 5
A private bill is moved by a member; the President summons the Sangsad; seat 1 is Panchagarh, seat 300 is Bandarban.