Referendum date likely to announce today

Reza Mahmud :

Long awaited decision on referendum likely to be announced today amid the political parties divided on the issue creating tensions.

Sources said, an emergency meeting of the Interim Government’s Advisory Council has been called for Monday morning to decide when the long-awaited referendum on the implementation of the July National Charter will be held.

The announcement is expected to mark a crucial step in determining the country’s future political direction and the framework for institutional reforms pledged under the Charter.

According to sources, the Chief Adviser’s Office confirmed on Sunday evening that the meeting will be held Monday morning, with a subsequent official press briefing at 12 noon to announce the date of the referendum and outline the government’s next steps.

When contacted, Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Huq on Sunday told The New Nation, “Most of the political parties are demanding the referendum and national polls in same day.”

He said, it will be wise to the government to accept the majority parties call shunning the small portions demands.

Officials familiar with the development said the government may also use the occasion to clarify its stance on several contentious issues within the Charter’s implementation framework – notably the proposed proportional representation (PR) system, which has divided major political stakeholders.

Sources said, for the first time since taking office, the interim government has scheduled a press conference to be held at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon on Monday at 12pm, according to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing.
Earlier that morning, the Advisory Council is expected to convene a meeting, sources familiar with the matter said.

Although the press wing has not disclosed the specific agenda of the briefing, multiple sources suggested that the Advisory Council meeting will center on the implementation process of the “July Charter.” The outcomes of the discussion are likely to be shared during the press conference.

In the nearly 15 months since the interim government assumed power, no press conference has taken place at the Chief Adviser’s Office.

Ordinarily, press briefings by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing have been held either at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital or at the Chief Adviser’s official residence, Jamuna.

On Saturday, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus instructed the heads of the three armed forces to take all necessary steps to ensure comprehensive security and maintain a peaceful environment during the national election scheduled for February.

The three service chiefs – Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan – met with the Chief Adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna at 7pm. National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman also attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, the BNP has welcomed the government’s decision to move forward with the referendum process but called for “absolute transparency and consensus” in determining the modalities.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, speaking at a party meeting on Sunday, said his party supports the idea of implementing the July Charter “as a people’s mandate,” but cautioned that any attempt to impose changes unilaterally would undermine the credibility of the entire process.

“Our position is clear – we will support the parts of the Charter that were agreed upon in good faith and signed by all stakeholders,” Fakhrul said.

“But the government must not move ahead with any additions or reinterpretations that were not part of the original agreement. The referendum should reflect the true spirit of national consensus.”

Besides, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, a signatory to parts of the July Charter, expressed stronger skepticism about the government’s timing and intent. The party strongly demanded referendum in November.

Eight political parties, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolon Bangladesh and Khelafat Majlish, recently submitted separate memorandums to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin, urging the Election Commission (EC) to hold a referendum in November to give the July National Charter a legal basis.

The parties also demanded the implementation of the amended Representation of the People Order (RPO) and ensuring a level-playing field in the upcoming election.

On the other hand, National Citizen Party (NCP) accused the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami of trying to derail the election. NCP chief Nahid Islam on Sunday said the date of referendum doesn’t matter.