The People’s Republic of Bangladesh is a unitary parliamentary republic. Below: how the state is organised, the online services citizens use most, and the numbers to call when something goes wrong.
Free to call from any Bangladeshi number, 24 hours a day.
National Emergency (police, fire, ambulance)
National Health Line
Government Information Service
Violence against women & children
Child Helpline
Anti-Corruption Commission
Fire Service & Civil Defence
Tourist Police
Disaster / Cyclone warning
Head of state, elected by parliament for a five-year term
A largely ceremonial office under Article 48 of the constitution; the President may serve at most two terms, consecutive or otherwise.
bangabhaban.gov.bd ↗Head of government and chief executive of the republic, leading the council of ministers
Must be a member of parliament and commands the confidence of the House; holds the real executive power in the parliamentary system.
pmo.gov.bd ↗Unicameral legislature of 350 seats (300 elected, 50 reserved for women)
Elected for a five-year term unless dissolved earlier; its home is Louis Kahn’s Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban, completed in 1982.
parliament.gov.bd ↗Appellate Division and High Court Division, headed by the Chief Justice
The apex court under Article 94; the President appoints the Chief Justice and other judges on constitutional advice.
supremecourt.gov.bd ↗Conducts national and local elections, maintains the voter roll
An independent constitutional body under Article 118, responsible for delimiting constituencies and issuing National ID cards.
ecs.gov.bd ↗Central bank - monetary policy, reserves and the exchange rate regime
Founded in 1972 from the former State Bank of Pakistan’s Dhaka branch; regulates the Taka and licenses every bank in the country.
bb.org.bd ↗The e-government portals citizens use most.
Single entry point to every ministry, division and district portal.
bangladesh.gov.bd ↗Apply, correct, reissue or download your National Identity Card.
services.nidw.gov.bd ↗Apply for and track a Bangladesh e-Passport online.
epassport.gov.bd ↗Online birth registration, verification and certificate copies.
bdris.gov.bd ↗Register for a taxpayer identification number and file returns.
etaxnbr.gov.bd ↗Driving licence, registration, fitness and tax token services.
bsp.brta.gov.bd ↗Book intercity train tickets ten days in advance.
eticket.railway.gov.bd ↗Khatian, mutation and land development tax online.
land.gov.bd ↗Check voter registration and polling centre details.
services.nidw.gov.bd ↗Apply online for a police clearance certificate.
pcc.police.gov.bd ↗From the capital down to the union council.
Every link here points to an official .gov.bd domain. Government portals change
addresses from time to time - if a link fails, start at
bangladesh.gov.bd, the national portal, or dial 333.