Parties Agree: 10-Year PM Limit, Back Independent Police Commission

Bangladesh’s political parties have reached a consensus on limiting the tenure of a Prime Minister to no more than 10 years in a lifetime. In addition, they have unanimously agreed to establish an Independent Police Commission to ensure professionalism and accountability within the police force.

This agreement emerged on Sunday, 27 July, during the 19th day of the second phase of the ongoing national dialogue held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

Commission Vice-Chair Ali Riaz announced the consensus, stating:

“We will include in the July Charter that no individual may hold the office of Prime Minister for more than 10 years.”

BNP Reaffirms the Proposal

Speaking at the event, Salahuddin Ahmed, a Standing Committee Member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), reiterated:

“We had previously stated that no person should remain in the Prime Minister’s position for more than 10 years. I also mentioned that we do not accept appointment committees for constitutional or statutory institutions unless they are based on consensus in this house. We will incorporate the clause related to Election Commission appointments into the constitution. If discussions go beyond this, our conditions will stand. We hope that will be respected. The 10-year limit is, in fact, our proposal—you may now declare it.”

Unified Proposal for an Independent Police Commission

Earlier in the session, the National Consensus Commission presented a proposal to the parties on establishing an Independent Police Commission, aiming to uphold professionalism and accountability in the Bangladesh Police. After thorough discussion, all political parties agreed in principle to the formation of such a body.

Points of Agreement on Police Commission:

Ali Riaz remarked:

“We are in agreement on the concept of a police commission. We will continue to discuss the formation process. The political parties of Bangladesh have reached consensus on establishing an independent police commission that will ensure accountability, transparency, and public service orientation within the force.”

This historic alignment among political parties marks a significant step forward in reinforcing democratic principles, governance reforms, and institutional integrity in Bangladesh.