July Charter: Referendum proposed before polls or on election day

The National Consensus Commission (NCC) on Tuesday submitted its long-awaited recommendations to the government for implementing the July National Charter 2025, advising the interim administration to issue a Constitutional Order (CO) and hold a referendum either immediately before or on the day of the next general election, amid continued disagreements among major political parties.

The suggestions also propose that the upcoming Jatiya Sangsad function in a dual capacity – both as Parliament and a Constituent Assembly – to complete the constitutional reforms.

The constitutional reform council will incorporate the reform proposals into the Constitution within nine months after the formation of the 13th Parliament.

The NCC recommended holding the referendum immediately after the issuance of the Constitutional Order before the next general election, or on the day of the election.

A draft of the proposed July National Charter (Constitutional Amendment) Implementation Order, 2025 was also presented to the government.

Article 6 of the draft states, “A referendum shall be held at an appropriate time immediately before the parliamentary election after the promulgation of this order, or on the day of the said election.”

The draft order also sets out a structured roadmap for reform and governance reconstruction. It emphasises establishing good governance, democracy, and social justice while ensuring that no authoritarian or fascist system can re-emerge.

NCC Vice-Chairman Prof Dr Ali Riaz formally handed over the recommendations to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, who is also chairman of the commission, at a ceremony at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital.

Other members of the commission- Justice Md Emdadul Haque, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar and Dr Mohammad Ayub Miah – were also present at the time.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief adviser said the proper implementation of the July Charter will help Bangladesh redeem itself from its past. “If we can properly follow and advance the implementation process, Bangladesh will break free from its past,” he said.

While briefing journalists later, Ali Riaz said the NCC recommended a three-phase implementation plan and proposed two alternative models for introducing the constitutional reforms.

Under the first model, before the referendum, the interim government will publish a draft constitutional amendment bill based on the July Charter so that citizens can understand what they are voting on.

The second model omits this step and goes straight to the referendum and parliamentary process.