Government

Under the constitution of 1972 and its amendments, a president serves as the titular head of state. The president is elected for a five-year term by the parliament, a one-house legislature whose 345-members are elected for five-year terms. Of these, 300 are popularly elected, and the remaining 45 are reserved for women, who are chosen by the 300 elected members. Executive power is vested in the prime minister (the head of government) and cabinet, most of whose members are usually from the largest party in the parliament.

There are six administrative divisions in Bangladesh, namely Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, and Sylhet. These are further divided into a number of local government units called zilas (districts), thanas or upazilas, and unions. The unions are formed of a group of villages. There are city corporations, and elected mayors and councils to look after the largest urban areas.

Bangladesh has a number of political parties, the most important parties being the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the Jatiya Party, and the Awami League. The Awami League was the leading political party that headed the fight for independence in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has an army of about 120,000 members, a smaller air force and navy, and even a militia.