A recent nationwide survey by Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN) has found that 89% of respondents believe no one should serve as prime minister for more than two terms. The poll also revealed strong public backing for various electoral and governance reforms, including proportional representation in the upper house of parliament, supported by 71% of participants.

The findings, part of SHUJAN’s proposed National Charter, were shared during a press conference at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity on Tuesday. Conducted between May and July 2025, the survey covered 1,373 respondents and incorporated feedback from 15 citizen dialogues.

Results showed 69% favouring a bicameral legislature, while 87% said one person should not simultaneously hold the posts of prime minister, party leader, and leader of the house. Sixty-three percent supported rotating reserved women’s seats in the lower house, and 69% backed reserving 30 women’s seats in the upper house.

Other key findings included 86% supporting the appointment of a deputy speaker from the opposition in the lower house, 82% favouring the same in the upper house, and 87% calling for prior election commission approval for executive actions during election periods. Additionally, 86% wanted the election commission to certify and publicly declare within 48 hours whether a poll was free and fair.

The survey also found that 88% supported strict auditing of campaign spending and disqualification of candidates who provide false information. A further 92% agreed that criminals, extortionists, corrupt individuals, and convicted persons should be barred from political party membership.

SHUJAN Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar said the results reflected a strong public demand for systemic reforms, arguing that existing structures had allowed excessive concentration of power. Professor Robayet Ferdous of Dhaka University’s Mass Communication and Journalism Department also addressed the event.