DHAKA: Bangladesh will hold a national referendum on the implementation of its ‘July Charter’ for state reform, a blueprint drafted in the aftermath of last year’s deadly student-led uprising, interim government head Muhammad Yunus announced on Thursday.
Yunus reaffirmed that parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place in the first half of February, assuring that the polls will be free, fair, and transparent.
Earlier in the day, the interim government approved the July National Charter (Constitution Reform) Implementation Order 2025, which outlines key structural and political reforms. Officials said the plan’s enforcement will depend on the outcome of the upcoming referendum.
“We have decided that the referendum will be held on the same day as the national parliamentary election — meaning, in the first half of February,” Nobel laureate Yunus said in a televised address to the nation.
“This will not hinder the reform process. Rather, it will make the election more festive and cost-efficient,” he said.
The July Charter aims to reshape Bangladesh’s political and institutional landscape while granting constitutional recognition to the 2024 uprising that forced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to India.
The reform plan proposes greater representation of women, term limits for the prime minister, enhanced presidential powers, expanded fundamental rights, and stronger judicial independence—all intended to promote a more balanced and accountable system of governance.
While a majority of political parties endorsed the charter in October, the National Citizens Party (NCP)—founded by leaders of last year’s movement—along with four left-leaning parties, boycotted the agreement.
The NCP said it abstained because the charter lacked a clear legal framework or binding guarantees to ensure the implementation of its commitments.
“I hope political parties will accept our decision in the greater interest of the nation,” Yunus said.
“The country will move toward a festive national election and step into a ‘New Bangladesh’.”
