Editing Bangladesh National Parliament (Jatiya Sangsad)

The '''Bangladesh National Parliament''', locally known as the '''Jatiya Sangsad''', is the '''unicameral legislative body''' of Bangladesh. It is the supreme law-making institution of the country, responsible for enacting legislation, approving the national budget, and overseeing the executive branch.
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== History ==

* The Jatiya Sangsad was established following the '''adoption of the Constitution of Bangladesh in 1972''', after the country gained independence in 1971.
* Its formation replaced the '''provincial and colonial legislative structures''' of East Pakistan and British India.
* Since its creation, it has served as the central institution for parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh.

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== Structure ==

* The Jatiya Sangsad is a '''unicameral legislature''' consisting of '''350 seats''':
** '''300 seats''' are directly elected from '''geographical constituencies''' through a '''first-past-the-post system'''.
** '''50 seats''' are reserved for women, allocated proportionally to parties based on their share of the 300 directly elected seats.
* '''Term:''' Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected for a '''five-year term''', unless the parliament is dissolved earlier.
* '''Leadership:'''
** '''Speaker:''' Presides over sessions and ensures parliamentary rules are followed.
** '''Deputy Speaker:''' Assists the Speaker.
** '''Prime Minister:''' Leader of the majority party; head of government.
** '''Leader of the Opposition:''' Head of the largest non-government party.

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== Functions ==
The National Parliament of Bangladesh performs the following key functions:

# '''Legislation:''' Enacts, amends, and repeals laws.
# '''Budget Approval:''' Reviews and approves the national budget and financial bills.
# '''Oversight:''' Monitors and evaluates the activities of the executive branch.
# '''Constituency Representation:''' MPs represent the interests of citizens from their respective constituencies.
# '''National Policy Formation:''' Discusses and influences policies related to economy, defense, foreign affairs, and social development.

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== Elections ==

* General elections are held every '''five years'''.
* Voters '''elect MPs''' through a '''first-past-the-post system''' in each constituency.
* Reserved seats for women are '''proportionally allocated''' to parties based on their electoral performance.
* The most recent '''12th Jatiya Sangsad elections''' were held in '''2024''', and the '''13th elections''' are scheduled for '''2026'''.

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== Parliamentary Procedure ==

* Sessions of the parliament are conducted in '''Bangla (Bengali)'''.
* Debates follow '''standing orders''', and decisions are usually taken by '''majority vote'''.
* Committees exist to review bills, policies, and government activities in specialized areas such as finance, education, and foreign affairs.

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== Significance ==

* The Jatiya Sangsad is the '''cornerstone of Bangladesh’s parliamentary democracy'''.
* Acts as a platform for '''representative democracy''', ensuring citizens’ voices are reflected in national policy.
* Plays a crucial role in '''checks and balances''', holding the government accountable to the people.

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== See Also ==

* '''Prime Minister of Bangladesh'''
* '''[[Bangladesh Awami League]]'''
* '''[[Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)]]'''
* '''[[Bangladesh Liberation War]]'''
* '''[[Constituencies of Bangladesh]]'''