Two Ballots, One Defining Day: Govt defends ‘Yes’ for July Charter referendum
Abu Jakir :
Bangladesh’s interim authorities have confirmed that voters will go to the polls on 12 February for both the 13th national parliamentary election and a nationwide referendum on the July Charter, a proposed framework of political and institutional reforms.
As preparations intensify, the government has taken the unusual step of openly campaigning for a “Yes” vote in the referendum, prompting debate over whether a referendum organiser should publicly advocate one side.
Under the announced arrangement, voters will cast two ballots on the same day: one to elect members of parliament and another to decide whether the July Charter should be binding on the next government.
A “Yes” vote would obligate the incoming administration, both constitutionally and politically, to implement the reform proposals outlined in the charter. A “No” vote would leave the next government free of such obligations.
The government’s decision to campaign for a “Yes” outcome was addressed
on Sunday at a press conference held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.
Responding to a question about the propriety of advocating a position while also organising the referendum, the chief adviser’s press secretary, Shafiqul Alam, said the administration was being transparent about its stance.
“Some may disagree, but we are clearly saying this government will call for a ‘Yes’ vote and will urge the people to vote ‘Yes’,” he said.
Alam noted that official social media accounts and government advisers had already begun speaking in favour of approval.
The reason, he added, was that the interim administration views itself as a “government of reform”, having sought to institutionalise change through a consensus commission and now putting those proposals before the public.
“We are telling people: if you do not want misrule again, if you do not want authoritarianism to return, then you must vote ‘Yes’,” Alam said. “The people will decide. But we are carrying out what we believe is our responsibility.”
Alongside the government’s push, the National Citizen Party (NCP) has announced a nationwide campaign strategy aimed specifically at maximising support for the referendum.
Although the party is contesting only a limited number of parliamentary seats, it says it will deploy representatives across the country to advocate a “Yes” vote.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Mahbub Alam, joint chief coordinator of the NCP and head of its election media subcommittee, said the party would not field candidates in 270 of the 300 constituencies.
In those seats, the party plans to appoint “ambassadors” tasked solely with campaigning in favour of the July Charter.
According to the statement, where NCP candidates are standing, they will personally lead referendum outreach alongside their parliamentary campaigns, engaging directly with party workers, supporters and undecided voters.
In constituencies without NCP candidates, appointed ambassadors will present the party’s position, explain the significance of the referendum and argue for a “Yes” vote.
The aim, Mahbub said, is to ensure a coordinated, nationwide effort so that the party’s message reaches voters in every constituency.
Senior advisers to the chief adviser have also increased their public advocacy, presenting the referendum as a historic opportunity to reshape the country’s political system after years of political turmoil.
Speaking on Sunday at a divisional imams’ conference in Barishal’s Bells Park, Professor Ali Riaz, special assistant to the chief adviser, described the referendum as a process to determine “what the future Bangladesh will look like”.
“This is an opportunity to draw the roadmap for the country,” he said. “The families of the July martyrs and of the disappeared have entrusted us with this responsibility. Let us come together to fulfil their aspirations and build a better Bangladesh.”
Riaz said the past 16 years had demonstrated that the country could not move forward without systemic reform.
He credited young people with creating the opening for change through sustained struggle, arguing that the new framework would introduce safeguards against the concentration of power, including a two-term limit for the prime minister.
Earlier in the day in Dhaka, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan urged citizens to participate actively in the referendum and to vote “Yes” if they genuinely wanted reform.
Speaking as chief guest at the Dhaka North City Corporation Citizen Award 2025 ceremony, she reminded the audience that voters would be casting two ballots on 12 February.
“The second vote that day will be the referendum,” she said. “This is the moment to bend the arc of power away from the ruling elite and towards the people. Everyone must participate, and if you truly want reforms, the answer must be ‘Yes’.”
Rizwana warned that remaining silent, inactive or voting “No” would mean missing what she described as a rare opportunity to rebalance society, possibly for years to come.
She said the government had prepared explanatory materials on the proposed reforms and urged citizens to read and understand them.
She also cautioned that some actors might attempt to intimidate voters and discourage participation, adding that early signs of fear were already visible.
“We vote and then complain that our leaders are not good,” she said. “That cannot continue. We must vote for good leaders.”
Highlighting the role of young voters, she said those who helped bring an end to authoritarian rule in 2024 now had a crucial role to play in strengthening democracy through reform.
“The fall of authoritarianism alone does not bring democracy,” she said. “Every citizen must be conscious and vigilant in exercising their right to vote.”
At the same event, Local Government Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan argued that approving the July Charter was essential to prevent a return to enforced disappearances, secret detention centres and torture.
With only weeks remaining before the polls, Bangladesh is heading towards an election day unlike any in its recent history — a day that will determine not only the composition of the next parliament but also whether a binding reform agenda will shape the country’s political future.