The commission suggests a four-year term for the president instead of five
Published : 16 Jan 2025, 12:12 AM
The Constitutional Reform Commission has recommended a four-year term for parliament and a two-term limit for the prime minister.
It also proposed a constitutional framework for forming an interim government in the event of a leadership vacuum in the prime minister's position.
The commission’s Chairman Ali Riaz submitted the report to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday.
The reform commission suggested different frameworks for the executive branch, including the roles of the president, National Constitutional Council, and prime minister.
Prof Riaz said nearly 100,000 people’s views were gathered in preparing the recommendations, with 32 researchers contributing to the commission's work.
The commission's recommendations specify that the members of the lower house of parliament with the support of the majority will form the government.
The executive authority of the civilian government will be exercised by the cabinet headed by the prime minister.
It has been suggested that a person can serve as prime minister for a maximum of two terms, regardless of whether they hold the office consecutively or otherwise.
The report also proposes that a sitting prime minister should not serve as the leader of a political party or parliament.
The reform commission also suggested a mechanism for dissolving parliament.
“If, before the expiry of the legislature’s term, the prime minister voluntarily resigns, loses a vote of confidence, or advises the president to dissolve the parliament for any reason, the president shall dissolve both houses of parliament if it becomes evident that no other member of the lower house can command the majority support required to form a government.”
PRESIDENTIAL TERM REDUCED, NEW ELECTORAL SYSTEM
The Constitutional Reform Commission proposed reducing the term of the president from five to four years.
It also suggested that the president should not serve more than two terms in office.
The commission recommends a new method for presidential elections, proposing that the president be elected by a majority vote from an electoral college.
The composition of the Electoral College would include one vote from each member of both houses of parliament, one vote per district coordination council (for example, 64 votes if there are 64 district coordination councils), and one vote per city corporation coordination council.
On the process for impeaching the president, the commission said: “The president may be impeached for treason, gross misconduct, or violation of the Constitution.
“Once the lower house passes an impeachment motion, it would then move to the upper house, where a hearing would be held to complete the impeachment process.”