Bangladesh

Population: 141,340,476 (July 2004 est.)

Capital: Dhaka
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An Introduction to Bangladesh
Bangladesh came into existence in 1971 when Bengali East Pakistan seceded from its union with West Pakistan.
About a third of this extremely poor country floods annually during the monsoon rainy season, hampering economic
development.

Map of Bangladesh ( Location ) : 24 00 N, 90 00 E, Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and
India. For additional reports and educational information specific to Bangladesh, refer to the Country Info menubar to the
upper right.
The Bangladeshi Flag
Green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of center; the red sun of freedom
represents the blood shed to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lush
countryside, and secondarily, the traditional color of Islam.
Backgrounds: Bangladesh Government
The president, while chief of state, holds a largely ceremonial post; the real power is held by the prime minister, who
is head of government. The president is elected by the legislature (Parliament) every 5 years. The president's
normally circumscribed powers are substantially expanded during the tenure of a caretaker government. (Under the
13th Amendment, which the Parliament passed in March 1996, a caretaker government assumes power temporarily
to oversee general elections after dissolution of the Parliament.) In the caretaker government, the president has
control over the Ministry of Defense, the authority to declare a state of emergency, and the power to dismiss the Chief
Adviser and other members of the caretaker government. Once elections have been held and a new government and
Parliament are in place, the president's powers and position revert to their largely ceremonial role.

The prime minister is appointed by the president; the prime minister must be a member of Parliament (MP) whom the
president feels commands the confidence of the majority of other MPs. The cabinet is composed of ministers
selected by the prime minister and appointed by the president. At least 90% of the ministers must be MPs. The other
10% may be non-MP experts or "technocrats" who are not otherwise disqualified from being elected MPs. According
to the constitution, the president can dissolve Parliament upon the written request of the prime minister.

The legislature is a unicameral, 300-seat body. Its 300 members are elected by universal suffrage at least every 5
years. The next election is scheduled to take place in late 2006 or in early 2007.

Bangladesh's judiciary is a civil court system based on the British model; the highest court of appeal is the appellate
court of the Supreme Court. At the local government level, the country is divided into divisions, districts, subdistricts,
unions, and villages. Local officials are elected at the union level. All larger administrative units are run by members
of the civil service.

Bangladesh maintains an embassy in the United States at 3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel:
202-244-0183 ; fax: 202-244-5366).

Backgrounds: Bangladesh Political

With the easy access to international media and the expanding international awareness of the country, democratic
values are increasingly known in Bangladesh. Regionally, India's progress in creating a viable and decentralized
democratic system is very visible in Bangladesh, as is the negative example set in Pakistan with its current military rule.
Efforts by international organizations, other governments, and regional trading partners to stress human rights and
democracy are increasingly coordinated and high profile. Yet reforms will largely come as a result of internal demand
for good governance and enlightened leadership.

Political developments in Bangladesh also will affect the external environment. Northeast India, Bangladesh, and Nepal
represent a large portion of the hardcore poverty in South Asia. With Maoist rebels gaining strength in Nepal,
insurgencies still bubbling in the northeastern states of India, and the Communist Party of India/Marxist in West Bengal
remaining firmly in power, a major crisis in Bangladesh could add greatly to regional instability. India would perhaps be
the most affected by largescale unrest on its northeast border, which also could complicate resolution of issues in
Pakistan and Afghanistan. Such a turn of events also would be significant with respect to U.S. geopolitical interests in
South Asia.

In spite of its shortcomings, Bangladesh is one of the most democratic states within the Muslim world and a leading
voice among the least developed countries (LDCs). It also has taken on an increasingly active role in international
peacekeeping operations. Given the importance of democracy for the advancement of LDCs, continuing to support the
development of democracy in Bangladesh should remain an international priority.
Tabular Data - Government of Bangladesh

Country Name Info : conventional long form: People's Republic of Bangladesh

conventional short form: Bangladesh
former: East Pakistan
Government Type : parliamentary democracy
Capital : Dhaka
Administrative 6 divisions; Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, and
Divisions : Sylhet
Independence : 16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan); note - 26 March
1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16
December 1971 is known as Victory Day and commemorates
the official creation of the state of Bangladesh
National Holiday : Independence Day, 26 March (1971); note - 26 March 1971 is
the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December
1971 is Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of
the state of Bangladesh
Constitution : 4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972, suspended
following coup of 24 March 1982, restored 10 November 1986,
amended many times
Legal System : based on English common law
Suffrage : 18 years of age; universal
Executive Branch : chief of state: President Iajuddin AHMED (since 6 September
2002); note - the president's duties are normally ceremonial,
but with the 13th amendment to the constitution ("Caretaker
Government Amendment"), the president's role becomes
significant at times when Parliament is dissolved and a
caretaker government is installed - at presidential direction - to
supervise the elections
head of government: Prime Minister Khaleda ZIA (since 10
October 2001)
cabinet: Cabinet selected by the prime minister and appointed
by the president
elections: president elected by National Parliament for a five-
year term; election scheduled for 16 September 2002 was not
held since Iajuddin AHMED was the only presidential
candidate; he was sworn in on 6 September 2002 (next
election to be held by NA 2007); following legislative elections,
the leader of the party that wins the most seats is usually
appointed prime minister by the president
election results: Iajuddin AHMED declared by the Election
Commission elected unopposed as president; percent of
National Parliament vote - NA
Legislative Branch : unicameral National Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad; 300 seats
elected by popular vote from single territorial constituencies
(the constitutional amendment reserving 30 seats for women
over and above the 300 regular parliament seats expired in
May 2001); members serve five-year terms
elections: last held 1 October 2001 (next to be held before
October 2006)
election results: percent of vote by party - BNP and alliance
partners 46%, AL 42%; seats by party - BNP 191, AL 62, JI
18, JP (Ershad faction) 14, IOJ 2, JP (Naziur) 4, other 9; note -
 the election of October 2001 brought a majority BNP
government aligned with three other smaller parties - Jamaat-i-
Islami, Islami Oikya Jote, and Jatiya Party (Manzur)
Judicial Branch : Supreme Court (the chief justices and other judges are
appointed by the president)
Political Parties and Awami League or AL [Sheikh HASINA]; Bangladesh
Leaders : Communist Party or BCP [Saifuddin Ahmed MANIK];
Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP [Khaleda ZIA,
chairperson]; Islami Oikya Jote or IOJ [Mufti Fazlul Haq
AMINI]; Jamaat-e-Islami or JI [Motiur Rahman NIZAMI]; Jatiya
Party or JP (Ershad faction) [Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD];
Jatiya Party (Manzur faction) [Naziur Rahman MANZUR]
International AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt
Organization (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,
Participation : ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO,
MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNAMSIL,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK,
UNMIL, UNMISET, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic chief of mission: Ambassador Syed Hasan AHMAD
Representation In The chancery: 3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC
US : 20008
telephone: [1]  (202) 244-0183 
FAX: [1] (202) 244-5366
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
Diplomatic chief of mission: Ambassador Harry K. THOMAS, Jr.
Representation From embassy: Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212
The US : mailing address: G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000
telephone: [880] (2) 8824700 through 8824722
FAX: [880] (2) 8823744

Tabular Data - Political Leaders of Bangladesh

Position Held: By Individual:

President Ahmed, Iajuddin
Prime Minister Zia, Khaleda
Min. of Agriculture Anwar, M. K.
Min. of Commerce Chowdhury, Altaf Hossain
Min. of Communications Huda, Nazmul
Min. of Defense Zia, Khaleda
Min. of Education Faruk Osman, Dir.
Min. of Energy & Resources Zia, Khaleda
Min. of Environment & Forest Siraj, Shahjahan
Min. of Finance & Planning Rahman, Mohammad Salifur
Min. of Fisheries & Livestock Noman, Abdullah Al
Min. of Food & Disaster Management & Relief Yusuf, Chowdhury Kamal Ibne
Min. of Foreign Affairs Khan, M. Morshed
Min. of Health & Family Welfare Hossain Khankder Mosharraf, Dr.
Min. of Home Affairs (Acting) Babor, Lutfozzaman
Min. of Housing & Public Works Abbas, Mirza
Min. of Industries Nizami, Maulana Matiur Rahman
Min. of Information Islam, Tariqul
Min. of Jute & Textiles Ahmed M. Hafizuddin, Maj. (Ret.)
Min. of Labor & Employment Aman, Amanuallah
Min. of Land Islam, M. Shamsul
Min. of Law, Justice, & Parliamentary Affairs Ahmed, Moudud
Min. of Local Gov., Rural Developments, & Cooperatives Bhuiyan, Abdul Mannan
Min. of NGOs Azad, Lutfar Rahman Khan
Min. of Post & Telecommunication Haque, Mohammad Aminul
Min. of Science & Information & Communication Technology Khan Abdul Moyeen, Dr.
Min. of Shipping Hossain Akbar, Lt. Col. (Ret.)
Min. of Social Welfare Mujahid, Ali Ahsan Mohammad
Min. of Water Resources Ahmed M. Hafizuddin, Maj. (Ret.)
Min. of Women & Children Affairs Haque, Khurshid Jahan
Min. Without Portfolio Chowdhury, Abdul Matin
Governor, Central Bank Ahmed, Fakhruddin
Ambassador to the US Ahmad, Syed Hasan
Permanent Representative to the UN, New York Chowdhury Iftekhar Ahmed, Dr.
 
Chiefs of State listings last updated October 28, 2004