The government is set to hold a referendum on the day of the national elections. Alongside this, it is considering altering the traditional format by including four questions instead of the usual single one.
The move aims to send a message to all political parties to accept the decision, following mutual ultimatums from parties and discussions on implementing the July National Charter and the referendum. However, no party has formally communicated its position to the government yet.
Traditionally, a referendum involves a single question requiring a yes or no vote. This time, plans are to allow voting on four questions. The first will address the implementation of issues agreed upon by all parties. The second will concern the PR (proportional representation) system. The third question may involve the implementation of the charter including the Note of Dissent. The fourth could relate to implementing the charter without the Note of Dissent, asking for support or opposition.
Major parties have reiterated firm stances on the July National Charter. The BNP argues there is no time for a pre-election referendum and believes taking public consent on the same ballot as the national election is the most logical and acceptable approach. Jamaat-e-Islami has stated that if its five-point demands are not met by 16 November, the eight-party alliance will stage an indefinite sit-in outside the chief advisor’s residence in Jamuna. The National Citizens’ Party supports holding the referendum before elections and excluding the BNP’s Note of Dissent. Smaller parties have aligned with their leading parties’ positions.
The government will soon announce its final decision. Meetings with advisors and experts are being held to ensure a decision acceptable to all parties. According to official sources, the July National Charter orders have been finalised, and the advisory council may decide on the matter today.
GLIVE/TSN