A petition has been filed in the High Court challenging the validity of the referendum held on 12 February 2026, as well as seeking the annulment of the results announced on 13 February. The writ raises questions regarding the referendum process, the method of result declaration, and the conduct of the authorities involved.
On Tuesday, 17 February, ABM Ataul Majid Touhid, acting as a public-interest lawyer at the Supreme Court, submitted the writ. In his petition, he emphasised the need to verify whether the referendum was conducted and the results declared in strict compliance with established legal procedures. The writ specifically requests the court to clarify why the results of the referendum should not be declared invalid.
The petition further seeks that the High Court annul the 13 February referendum results and issue necessary directives to the relevant authorities to ensure proper re-evaluation. It urges that the responsible bodies take all appropriate steps to review the results and rectify any procedural shortcomings.
Legal experts indicate that the court may issue a rule requiring the authorities to respond formally to the allegations. Mr Touhid stressed that transparency and impartiality in the referendum process are essential for safeguarding the fundamental rights of citizens. He noted that any ambiguity in the procedure or result announcement undermines public confidence in democratic mechanisms.
The key dates and details concerning the referendum are summarised below:
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 12 February 2026 | Referendum held | Voting conducted across multiple centres nationwide |
| 13 February 2026 | Results announced | Preliminary referendum results published by the relevant authorities |
| 17 February 2026 | High Court writ filed | Public-interest lawyer submits petition questioning validity |
| Petitioner | Lawyer | ABM Ataul Majid Touhid |
| Subject of writ | Validity challenge | Questions raised regarding referendum process, result declaration, and authorities’ role |
The writ is expected to trigger a new legal examination of the country’s electoral processes and the transparency of referendums. Analysts suggest that the High Court’s eventual ruling could play a decisive role in ensuring the credibility of future referendums and reinforcing public trust in democratic practices.