89% oppose same person serving more than two terms as PM: Shujan survey

A majority of citizens, 89%, oppose allowing the same person to serve as the country's prime minister for more than two terms, according to a survey conducted by Citizens for Good Governance (SHUJAN). 

The survey also found that 70% of respondents support the proportional representation (PR) system for parliamentary elections. The findings were presented yesterday (11 August) at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, based on public opinion gathered during 15 dialogues held across the country, involving 1,373 citizens.

The report, presented as part of the public consultation process for finalising the proposed National Charter, revealed significant backing for legislative reforms. 

63% supported electing women to 100 reserved seats in the lower house through a rotational system, while 86% favoured appointing the deputy speaker from the opposition in the lower house.

In the proposed Senate, 69% supported reserving 33% of seats for women, 82% backed appointing the deputy speaker from the opposition, and 87% supported prohibiting the same person from holding the posts of prime minister, leader of the house, and party chief simultaneously.

The survey also showed that 69% supported establishing a bicameral legislature comprising a National Parliament (lower house) and a Senate (upper house), with 71% in favour of allocating upper house seats proportionally. 

The provision to restrict any one individual from serving as prime minister for more than two terms drew the support of 89% of respondents.

Shujan's central member Zillur Rahman moderated the event, where National Consensus Commission member and Shujan Secretary Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, and Dhaka University journalism professor Robayet Ferdous spoke, among others. The survey findings were presented by Shujan National Committee member Md Ekram Hossain.

Regarding changes to the system of governance, 87% of participants favoured a cabinet-based government, 86% supported forming an electoral college for presidential elections, and 88% wanted an increase in the president's powers. 

In addition, 87% backed amending Article 70 of the Constitution, while 90% endorsed the principles of equality, human dignity, social justice, democracy, secularism, and communal harmony as fundamental to state governance.

The survey further revealed that 88% supported expanding the scope of fundamental rights, 84% favoured making these rights unconditional, and 80% backed forming a constitutional council to appoint all constitutional office holders and the heads of the three armed forces.

Meanwhile, 90% supported granting constitutional status to the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Human Rights Commission, the Information Commission, and the proposed Local Government Commission. 

83% supported the caretaker government system.