”Yes” vote can redefine the State : Prof Ali Riaz

Khulna Correspondent :

Professor Ali Riaz, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser (with the rank of Adviser) and Chief Coordinator of the Public Awareness Campaign on the Referendum, on Thursday said that the key to unlocking the nation’s success lies in the hands of the people.
He made the remarks while addressing a views-exchange meeting on referendum awareness and voter motivation at the auditorium of the Divisional Commissioner’s Office in Khulna. The programme was organised by the Khulna Divisional Administration.
Calling upon citizens to vote in favour of reform, Prof Riaz said establishing equality and dignity through state restructuring requires a “Yes” vote in the upcoming referendum. He noted that the referendum symbol is the “tick mark”.
Referring to the July National Charter 2025, Prof Riaz said the document reflects the aspirations of the people. “Although the charter is printed in black ink, in reality it has been written with blood,” he said, adding that recognising the charter is a collective responsibility of the nation.
He described the referendum as the most effective means to determine the country’s future governance framework, noting that while the interim government remains neutral in national elections, it supports a “Yes” vote in the referendum.
Prof Riaz also clarified that under the constitution, public servants are not barred from campaigning in favour of the referendum.
Speaking as a special guest, Monir Haider, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser (Consensus), said the core objective of the 2024 mass uprising was to establish a fascism-free and discrimination-free society.
He added that the referendum aims to assess public opinion on a “new Bangladesh” and a new state arrangement.
“A verdict in favour of the July National Charter will constitutionally block the return of fascism,” he said.
The meeting was chaired by Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md Mokhter Ahmed. Other special guests included KUET Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Maksud Helali, Range DIG Md Rezaul Haque, and Khulna Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Zahidul Hasan.
Deputy commissioners ( DCs) from all 10 districts of Khulna division, divisional and upazila-level officials, election-related officials, representatives of chambers of commerce, teachers and students, civil society members, NGO representatives, and journalists attended the programme.