On the same day as the 13th National Parliamentary elections, a nationwide referendum was conducted across multiple constituencies. Preliminary results, released by the Election Commission on Friday, 13 February, indicate that the “No” vote has secured victories in four constituencies so far. These constituencies are Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Chattogram-13.
The Election Commission has cautioned that the current figures are subject to change as more votes are verified and counted. Nevertheless, the initial data reveals a clear pattern of preference against the motion in these specific areas.
In Bandarban, a total of 315,422 registered voters were eligible to participate. Of these, 71,417 voted in favour of the proposal (“Yes”), while 90,156 voted against it (“No”), resulting in a decisive victory for the “No” camp.
Chattogram-13 registered a total electorate of 395,246. The “Yes” vote amounted to 80,580, whereas the “No” vote reached 124,629, indicating a substantial margin in favour of rejection.
Rangamati witnessed an even stronger “No” vote, with 179,805 ballots against 71,699 in favour. The total number of eligible voters in this constituency was 509,267.
In Khagrachhari, out of 554,113 eligible voters, 144,355 supported the motion, whereas 155,942 opposed it, marking another constituency where the “No” vote led.
The following table summarises the results for these four constituencies:
| Constituency | Total Voters | ‘Yes’ Votes | ‘No’ Votes | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bandarban | 315,422 | 71,417 | 90,156 | No |
| Chattogram-13 | 395,246 | 80,580 | 124,629 | No |
| Rangamati | 509,267 | 71,699 | 179,805 | No |
| Khagrachhari | 554,113 | 144,355 | 155,942 | No |
The results indicate a significant divergence in voter sentiment in these regions compared to the national trend. Analysts suggest that local political dynamics, ethnic composition, and historical voting patterns may have influenced these outcomes.
As the final results are awaited, it is expected that additional constituencies may register a “No” majority. The Election Commission has emphasised that all data remains provisional until formally certified.
The outcome of this referendum will play a crucial role in shaping both local and national policies, reflecting the electorate’s stance on the proposed issue in these four key constituencies.