Asif Mahtab, former lecturer at BRAC University and a prominent online activist, has announced through a video message that he intends to vote ‘No’ in the forthcoming national referendum. The announcement comes after weeks of limited online activity, during which Mahtab was unable to respond directly to many citizen inquiries. He explained that the persistent public interest in his opinion compelled him to make his position explicit.
In his video, Mahtab stated:
“Many people have asked whether I will vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ on the July Charter. I have not been very active online, but given the repeated questions, I want to make it clear—I will vote ‘No’.”
Mahtab elaborated on the rationale behind his decision. He raised concerns about Article 84 of the proposed July Charter, which, if approved, would formally commit Bangladesh to the Open Government Partnership (OGP). Mahtab questioned the relevance of this partnership, asking:
“What exactly is the Open Government Partnership, and how does it relate to the movements we have fought for? Have we campaigned to join the OGP?”
He further noted that the OGP framework primarily emphasises the implementation of LGBTQ rights. Mahtab explained:
“If the July Charter is approved, it will be formally enacted, obliging citizens to uphold LGBTQ rights. I have never campaigned for such measures, and neither have most citizens. Yet, if the referendum passes, these policies would automatically take effect.”
Acknowledging his limited online engagement, Mahtab clarified that direct citizen queries were the primary reason for publicly sharing his stance. He stressed the importance of personal reflection and informed choice, warning against using referendums as a tool to impose policies or social agendas.
The table below summarises Mahtab’s key points:
| Topic | Asif Mahtab’s Position | Commentary / Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Voting Decision | ‘No’ | Based on personal principles |
| July Charter Clause | Article 84 | Conditions Bangladesh’s entry into OGP |
| OGP Focus | Implementation of LGBTQ rights | Not directly linked to prior social movements |
| Online Activity | Limited | Decision shared after numerous citizen inquiries |
| Principle-Based Response | Personal opinion | Opposes automatic policy enforcement via referendum |
Mahtab’s declaration is expected to stimulate discussions across both political and social spheres. He emphasised the significance of independent citizen expression in the referendum and highlighted the necessity of informed, conscientious voting. His position underscores that referendums should serve as platforms for considered public participation rather than instruments for enforcing specific policy agendas.