Home minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday said that most actions of the interim government, except a few, would be given legal validity through the constitution’s Fourth Schedule, which contains ‘transitional and temporary provisions’.

He added that the referendum in question would also gain legitimacy under the same provision.

According to him, the Fourth Schedule would serve as the key mechanism to regularise and legitimise the interim government’s overall actions.

The minister made the remarks while responding to questions at a press briefing attended by law minister Md Asaduzzaman and chief whip Nurul Islam Moni.

The briefing was held at the home ministry to explain the government’s position on ordinances placed before the current session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad.

Referring to the opposition’s threat of agitation, he said that there was no room for confusion, adding that the legality of the referendum was already under judicial review and that the court’s decision would be final.

Salahuddin said that the referendum held under an ordinance remained valid and there was no scope for confusion.

Responding to a question on why the referendum was not approved by the parliament, he said, ‘It is a factum valet—the ordinance was issued, the referendum was held, and it has legal validity.’

He said that there was no need to enact a new law, as no further referendum was planned on the issue.

‘If any referendum is to be held in the future, it will either be a constitutional referendum under article 142 or, if outside the Constitution, a separate law will be required,’ he said.

He noted that while parliamentary elections were held under the Representation of the People Order, the referendum held alongside the election did not comply with article 142.

However, he said that once the actions of the interim government were validated under the Fourth Schedule, those measures would gain full legal legitimacy.

On judicial independence, Salahuddin said that the constitution guarantees independence in judicial functions but does not provide for a ‘super-independent’ judiciary.

He added that the government would ensure judicial independence while maintaining the balance among the three organs of the state.

He said that no organ should overstep its constitutional boundaries and that well-framed laws on the Supreme Court Secretariat and the appointment of Supreme Court judges would be enacted after consultations with stakeholders.

He also said the Police Commission (Amendment) Bill would be placed in the next parliamentary session.

Law minister Md Asaduzzaman said that the reasons for repeal were clearly outlined in the preambles of the repeal bills, citing ordinances related to the National Human Rights Commission, Supreme Court judges’ appointments, and the Supreme Court Secretariat.

He said that stakeholder consultations would begin next week to prepare the National Human Rights Commission (Amendment) Bill.

Once a bill is passed in parliament, it becomes law, he said, adding that repeal laws also form part of the legal framework while incorporating commitments for further reform.

He added that 110 ordinances were placed before the parliament through 91 bills, all of which were passed—97 unchanged, 13 with amendments, and seven as repeal bills—while 16 ordinances were not placed.

In contrast, he noted that only 54 of the 122 ordinances issued during the 2007–2009 caretaker government were eventually enacted into law.

Asaduzzaman also said that departmental proceedings had been initiated against 24 lower court judges for alleged misconduct, including violating High Court directives on social media use.

He said that some judges were also found promoting coaching centres using their names.

He said that explanations had been sought from the judges and the matter was referred to the Supreme Court for necessary action.