Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Professor Muhammad Yunus on Thursday announced that Bangladesh’s upcoming national election and referendum will be held on the same day as part of the implementation process of the July National Charter.
He announced in a televised address to the nation at 2:30 pm, following a meeting of the interim government’s Advisory Council at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon, according to local media reports. The address was broadcast live on BTV, BTV News, and BTV World.
The decision comes after President Md Shahabuddin signed the July National Charter Implementation Order earlier in the day, paving the way for a national referendum on reform proposals included in the charter. The referendum will allow citizens to deliver their verdict on the constitutional reform package finalised through dialogue between political parties and the National Consensus Commission.
The move follows weeks of political deadlock after major parties failed to reach a consensus on how to implement the July Charter. On October 28, the National Consensus Commission presented two alternative recommendations to the government, both suggesting a referendum as part of the reform process.
