The signing of the July National Charter by several major political parties is the culmination of the interim government’s efforts to pave the way for reforms to Bangladesh’s Constitution and state structure.

But are reforms to the country’s founding document sufficient to improve the situation? Senior lawyer Shahdeen Malik, an expert on the Constitution, does not think so. He believes that a perfect Constitution does not guarantee good governance and the view that it would is “childish”.

Malik joined bdnews24.com’s “Inside Out” to discuss the efficacy of the July Charter, whether it could be legitimised through a public referendum, and the necessity of a general election.