Article 75 Rules of procedure and quorum
Rules of procedure, quorum, etc.
These rules decide how easily laws can pass and whether business can go ahead with thin attendance. The quorum rule protects against decisions taken by a handful of members.
The House adopts Rules of Procedure covering sittings, debates, questions, motions and committees. Article 75(1)(a) makes these binding, subject to the Constitution, and they can be amended by Parliament itself. Until such rules exist, rules made by the President would apply instead.
When a motion or Bill is put, it passes if a majority of members present and voting support it. The Speaker does not vote unless the votes are equal, when a casting vote decides the matter.
A member draws the presiding officer's attention to the fact that fewer than 60 members are present. The presiding officer must suspend the sitting until 60 are present, or adjourn it, so business cannot continue without a quorum.
In plain English
How Article 75 works
Article 75 lets Parliament make its own rules of procedure, which govern how Bills are debated, how questions are asked and how committees work. Until Parliament makes its rules, rules made by the President apply. Decisions are taken by a simple majority of members present and voting. The person presiding does not vote, except to break a tie with a casting vote. A proceeding is not invalid just because a seat is vacant or someone not entitled took part. The quorum is 60 members: if fewer are present, the presiding member must suspend or adjourn the sitting.
In practice
The Rules of Procedure of the Jatiya Sangsad, adopted under Article 75, run the day-to-day work of the House. Lack of quorum has been a recurring issue, with studies by civil society groups tracking time lost to quorum crises. Because clause (1)(c) protects proceedings from invalidity, challenges to Acts on the ground of irregular participation have little prospect. Constitutional amendments under Article 142 need a two-thirds majority of the total membership, which displaces the simple majority rule here.
The text
What Article 75 says
75. (1) Subject to this Constitution –
(a) the procedure of Parliament shall be regulated by rules of procedure made by it, and until such rules are made shall be regulated by rules of procedure made by the President;
(b) a decision in Parliament shall be taken by a majority of the votes of the members present and voting, but the person presiding shall not vote except when there is an equality of votes, in which case he shall exercise a casting vote;
(c) no proceeding in Parliament shall be invalid by reason only that there is a vacancy in the membership thereof or that a person who was not entitled to do so was present at, or voted or otherwise participated in, the proceeding.
(2) If at any time during which Parliament is in session the attention of the person presiding is drawn to the fact that the number of members present is less than sixty, he shall either suspend the meeting until at least sixty members are present, or adjourn it.
English text as published on the official Laws of Bangladesh website. The Bangla text is authoritative (Article 153). Where a court has changed the position, the status note above explains it.
Connected provisions
Related articles
Questions
Article 75: frequently asked questions
What is the quorum of the Bangladesh Parliament?
Sixty members. Under Article 75(2), if the presiding officer's attention is drawn to fewer than 60 members being present during a session, the sitting must be suspended until 60 are present, or adjourned.
How are decisions made in Parliament?
By a majority of the votes of the members present and voting, under Article 75(1)(b). The person presiding votes only to break a tie. Special majorities apply where the Constitution requires them, such as amendments under Article 142.
Sources
This guide explains the Constitution for general understanding. It is not legal advice. Constitutional reform proposals under discussion in 2026 are described as proposals until enacted.
Constitutional and writ practice
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