Bangladesh’s 13th election is being framed as more than a vote — it’s now part of a broader debate on constitutional restructuring and regional geopolitics

The upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election of Bangladesh is being increasingly framed not merely as a democratic transfer of power, but as a historic opportunity to restructure the state itself. This narrative was prominently articulated by Professor Ali Riaz, Vice-Chairman of the National Consensus Commission, during a roundtable discussion held on Wednesday at a hotel in Gulshan, Dhaka.

Speaking at the event titled “Peaceful Elections and Violence Prevention: Lessons from Field-Level Experience,” Professor Riaz described the forthcoming election as “exceptional and transformative,” arguing that it fundamentally differs from the country’s previous twelve parliamentary elections. According to him, the political context created by the July 2024 mass uprising has positioned the 13th election as a decisive historical turning point for Bangladesh.

Election as a “Historical Rupture” Professor Riaz warned that political parties and analysts who fail to grasp the significance of this moment risk endangering the country’s future. He characterized the post-2024 political landscape as a “historical rupture,” asserting that the election should be viewed as part of a broader process of democratic re-founding rather than a routine electoral exercise.

“The election must not be reduced to a procedural transfer of power,” he suggested, emphasizing that it should instead be understood as a gateway to redefining the constitutional and institutional foundations of the state.

Parliament with a Dual Mandate: One of the most consequential elements of Professor Riaz’s remarks was his proposal that the 13th Parliament assume a dual role immediately upon formation. While continuing its conventional responsibilities—forming a government, running the state, and passing the national budget—the Parliament would also function as a Constitutional Reform Council for a fixed period of 180 days.

He rejected concerns that such a dual mandate could delay the transfer of power or disrupt governance, arguing that no constitutional deadlock would arise from this arrangement. In his view, the parallel exercise of governing authority and constitutional reform is both feasible and necessary under the present political circumstances.

Constituent Power and Legal Safeguards Addressing the legal complexities of constitutional reform, Professor Riaz raised the issue of constituent power—the authority to fundamentally alter a constitution beyond ordinary legislative amendments. He argued that major structural reforms undertaken by a regular parliament could later face judicial invalidation due to the Basic Structure Doctrine, a principle that limits Parliament’s power to amend core features of the Constitution.

To prevent future legal challenges, he proposed granting the 13th Parliament special constituent authority. Such empowerment, he claimed, would act as a “safeguard for sustainable democracy,” ensuring that reforms aimed at long-term stability are not overturned by the courts.

A Carefully Curated Platform: The roundtable discussion was organized by the Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI), a private policy research organization and think tank known for its advocacy of market-oriented reforms and regulatory restructuring. The event opened with a welcome address by BEI President and former ambassador M. Humayun Kabir, while remarks were also delivered by BEI Distinguished Fellow and former ambassador Farooq Sobhan. Survey findings were presented by researcher Chowdhury Samiul Haque.

Participants included representatives from various professional groups and political affiliations, reinforcing the event’s character as a deliberately constructed multi-stakeholder platform rather than a purely academic forum.

Think Tank Networks and External Linkages:

BEI, established in October 2000, has built a reputation as an influential policy think tank with strong international connections. It regularly collaborates with foreign institutions and hosts conferences on economic, political, and strategic issues.: Of particular note is BEI’s close working relationship with the U.S.-based International Republican Institute (IRI). This association has led some critics to view BEI as a platform aligned with U.S. policy preferences. Against this backdrop, Professor Riaz’s repeated articulation of constitutional and electoral narratives from BEI-hosted platforms has drawn scrutiny from observers concerned about external influence in Bangladesh’s electoral and constitutional processes.

Regional and Geopolitical Implications: Analysts note that the discourse surrounding constitutional restructuring ahead of the election has implications beyond Bangladesh’s domestic politics. The promotion of constituent power, reassessment of the 1972 Constitution, and the legitimization of alternative intellectual narratives—particularly from platforms perceived as Western-aligned—are being closely monitored in regional capitals.

From a strategic standpoint, these developments are seen by some observers as potentially affecting India’s long-standing security, diplomatic, and geopolitical interests in Bangladesh. Concerns have been raised that sustained constitutional and political reorientation could gradually shift Bangladesh away from India-centric strategic alignments, with possible long-term consequences for border security, stability in Northeast India, and the broader regional balance of power.

The events of January 28, 2026, underscore a significant shift in how the 13th National Parliamentary Election is being framed by influential actors. Professor Ali Riaz’s narrative positions the election not as a limited democratic mechanism, but as a political instrument for redefining the state’s foundational structure.

By advancing this discourse from the platform of a think tank with strong international linkages, the issue has moved beyond internal political debate and into the realm of regional and geopolitical observation. As Bangladesh approaches the election, the intersection of electoral politics, constitutional authority, and strategic influence is likely to remain under intense scrutiny—both at home and abroad.