assignment of bangladesh studies

1. Assignment
On
The Caretaker Government (CTG) of
Bangladesh
Created By-
Md. Kamruzzaman Siam
Submission Date: 6th
Aug, 2017

2. Serial
No.
Contents
Page
No.
01
Introduction 01
02
What Is Caretaker Government (CTG)? 02
03
Hi story of CTG 03
04
Military backed Caretaker Government and
its role
04
05
2008 Election 05
06
Reforms 05
07
Reactions 05
08
Chief Advisers since 1991 to 2008 06
09
Abolishment of CTG 06
10
References 06

3. Caretaker government of Bangladesh
The Caretaker Government (CTG) of Bangladesh was a form of
government in which Bangladesh used to be ruled by a selected government for an interim
period during the transition from one elected government to another, after the completion of
tenure of the former, during the period between 1996 to 2008. The outgoing elected government
used to hand over its power to the nonelected nonpartisan caretaker government (CTG).
Top members of the caretaker government did not represent any political party; nor were they
allowed to contest the elections. The main objective of the Caretaker Government (CTG) was to
create an level playing field environment in which an election could be held in a free and fair
manner without any political influence by the outgoing government.
It was not empowered to take any policy decisions unless it was necessary. The head of the
Caretaker Government (CTG) was called the Chief Adviser (in place of Prime Minister of
Bangladesh) and was selected by the President of Bangladesh. The Chief Adviser selected the
other advisers. The top positions of the administration were generally distributed among the
advisers. The Chief Adviser and the other advisers were committed for their activities to the
President of Bangladesh.
What Is Caretaker Government (CTG)?
One that temporarily performs the duties of an office: The government resigned, but the premier
served as caretaker until new leaders could be elected
Holding office temporarily; interim a caretaker government.
A temporary government that is in charge of a country until a new government elected.
Caretakers, similarly, are individuals who fill seats in government temporarily without ambitions
to continue to hold office on their own.
History of Caretaker Government (CTG)
In 1990 three party alliances discussed creating a better environment for elections. They jointly
made a demand for it. After the forced resignation of General Hussain Muhammad Ershad, the
three alliances nominated Chief Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed as the Chief Adviser. The caretaker
government was headed by a Chief Adviser, who enjoyed the same power as the regular prime
minister of the country except in defence matters. The advisers functioned as ministers.
Since 1996, a Caretaker government has managed the elections and transitions of 1996, 2001 and
2008. Although the first caretaker government (CTG) was intended to help the transition from
authoritarianism to democracy, this system was adopted as part of the Constitution in 1996 by

4. the Sixth Parliament. It was dominated by Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which yielded to
opposition pressure.
In Bangladesh, a Caretaker Government (CTG) ruled for the period of 1990 to 1991 with the
understanding of the major political party alliances. Later, CTGs were formed within the
constitutional framework in 1996, 2001 and 2006. The 13th amendment to the constitution was
passed in the parliament formalising this arrangement.
In addition, an extra-constitutional military-backed CTG was installed in 2007; it governed the
country without legitimacy, but ultimately handed over power to the elected political party
following 29 December 2008 parliamentary election. They were under pressure internationally to
yield to a democratically elected government.
According to the provision (before abolishment) of CTG in the Bangladesh Constitution, there
were six options to appoint a Chief Advisor (CA). The last option of CA is the President. The
CTG had to hold an election within 90 days and in 120 days could hand over power to the duly
elected political party. The daily operations of government, routine duties, and holding
parliamentary election are the mandated responsibilities of the CTG.
Caretaker Government was very popular in Bangladesh although it was a contradiction with
constitution. Recently Pakistan and Greece have also adopted this model to hold elections and
overcome political stalemate.
Military backed Caretaker Government and its role
The military-backed Caretaker Government (CTG) was formed outside the constitutional
provisions. It performed all responsibilities of the regular elected government and continued for
2 years. Ruling autocratically, the Army chief used to attend the advisory council meetings and
pressured the cabinet to make decisions he wanted. Adviser to President, M Mukhlesur Rahman
Chowdhury, was ousted as he was against the Army's actions.[2]
Later, President Iajuddin Ahmed had to run the presidency at gun point. Lt. Gen. Moeen
upgraded the Army Chief of Staff's rank to General; to maintain balance the other two military
service chiefs were also promoted. Moeen extended the rule of the CTG for two years while his
tenure for one year as army chief without lawful authority, in the absence of regular elected
government. The senior adviser and minister of state Mukhles Chowdhury tried to solve the
political problems. He brought the rival political parties to the planned parliamentary elections of
22 January 2007. But, by cancelling H M Ershad's nomination, Moeen staged a military coup on
11 January 2007.
Mukhles Chowdhury was the de facto President and Prime Minister from 2006 to January 2007.
Although strongly criticised by civil, military, political, media and the inner circle of President's
office and President's family, a later investigation demonstrated that he had run the government
honestly. The then PM's political secretary was dead against his induction in the government
publicly.

5. On 11 January 2007 when Mukhles Chowdhury became powerless, Brigadier Fazlul Bari
decided to impose a curfew and press censorship with the consent of Major General Masududdin
Chowdhury at Advisor's Office. It was promoted as Mukhles Chowdhury's decision by a section
of press deliberately. This way the certain quarter worked against democracy and for autocracy
openly.According to Moeen's book, Mukhles Chowdhury was the most powerful man in the
Presidency. He was offered to be the President and later to be the Chief adviser and finally
through Brigadier Bari who went to his office requesting to run the country for two years and
arrange trial of alleged corrupt politicians, bureaucrats, businessmen, media-men etc. However,
Chowdhury disagreed with such formula saying democracy must continue with following the
system to check corruption. Mukhles Chowdhury stopped the process of MPO of his father's
Technical Institute, approval of sanctioning a government building to that institution and ensured
his cousin's arrest for a car accident while was in power. As army group did not do anything to
Chowdhury legally, they arranged attack by DGFI, PGR and Army in Dhaka on 26 February
2007 and 7 September 2007 in Dhaka. After one year and three and half months of military
takeover, on 11 January 2007, Chowdhury left Bangladesh. He was under attack publicly in New
York and in London, including 15 September in London 2008, by Brigadier A. T. M. Amin.
2008 Election
The national election of Bangladesh was held on 29 December 2008 under the Caretaker
government formed with Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed as the Chief Adviser on 13 January 2007. This
was the third Caretaker government formed after the tenure of the government of prime minister
Khaleda Zia ended in October 2006. The Caretaker government of Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed
functioned without legislative authority as it continued to function after its scheduled tenure of
120 days ended on 12 May 2007. All decisions taken after this date must be ratified by the
parliament for the sake of legitimacy.
The Caretaker government of Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed was a military controlled and has made
extensive use of the military to stymie the chaos that preceded 11 January 2007 (popularly
known as 1/11, like 9/11). From the very outset however, the government made it clear that they
were there not only to arrange a free and fair election, but also to make sure that all aspects that
are connected to it are reviewed properly. This meant major reforms in the election system, but
also making sure that corrupt candidates could not take part in the election.
The task was however an enormous one, since Bangladesh is regarded as one of the most corrupt
nations in the world. Therefore, the government had exceeded its mandated term, which
according to the constitution allows it to stay only for 90 days.
Reforms
The caretaker government introduced Voter ID cards (with photograph) for the first time just
before Bangladeshi general election, 2008. The Bangladesh Army, including members of other
military forces, were deployed throughout the nation prior to the elections, including the

6. remotest areas, to assist with voter registration and issuance of the new IDs. They were equipped
with laptops and small digital cameras in an effort that would result in the most orderly voters'
registration list in Bangladesh's history.
Reactions
Initial reactions of the public were welcoming. The arrests of corrupt prominent politicians in
2007 led many to believe that a new political age was imminent. No new major parties came into
the scene. In some cases, former political leaders had been released from prison in 2008 and
appeared to be returning to former positions and displacing reformers.
Opponents of the CTG's long tenure had chiefly been of the two major political parties. Members
of the public in general understood the reasons and necessity for the government' actions.
The televisions and print media had reported events throughout the term (2007 to 2008). There
had been little questioning of the leaders who had been charged with an array of corruption
charges, and who were now on the verge of returning to power. Almost all of the television
channels are now owned by members from one of the two major parties.
Chief Advisers since 1991 to 2008
Shahabuddin Ahmed – Election of 1991
Muhammad Habibur Rahman – Election of 1996
Latifur Rahman – Election of 2001
Iajuddin Ahmed – Had to resign by a military coup on 11 January 2007
Fakhruddin Ahmed – Appointed on 12 January 2007 by an army group followed by a
coup – Election of 2008
Abolishment of CTG
In 2011 the Bangladesh Awami League (BAL) unilaterally abolished Caretaker Government
(CTG) through passage of the 15th amendment of the constitution with its majority in
Parliament. They staged street protests during 1994–96 period. AL had been elected to power in
1996 and 2008 through the CTG process.
Opposition parties, including the BNP, have protested passage of the amendment.People are
worried about next elections since the CTG was abolished. Sheikh Hasina has assured the public
that parliament will be dissolved if the Court so decides.

7. References
"Famous Bangladeshis – By Bangladesh Channel". bangladesh.com.
"Mokhles Chowdhury was threatened by Bangladeshi officer in London". Yahoo!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caretaker_government_of_Bangladesh
https://sonarbangladesh.com
https://BanglaNews24.com