In a resolute call for electoral accountability, Badiul Alam Majumdar, the Secretary of the civil rights organisation Shushashoner Janno Nagarik (SHUJAN), has demanded that political parties explicitly define their positions on the proposed constitutional referendums within their election manifestos.1 Speaking at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club on Saturday, 3 January 2026, Dr Majumdar argued that as the nation approaches the general election scheduled for February, vague promises are no longer sufficient to meet the aspirations of the July mass uprising.2
Dr Majumdar stressed that while many parties have expressed a general commitment to the “July National Charter,” they must provide a clear “yes” or “no” stance on the specific reform points that will be put to the public.3 He characterised the election manifesto not merely as campaign literature, but as a “written contract” between the parties and the people. “Although it may not be a physically signed document, it is a covenant with the voters,” he asserted, suggesting that citizens should ideally have the right to seek legal recourse if these pledges are breached.
SHUJAN’s 15-Point Framework for a Reformist Manifesto
| Strategic Pillar | Essential Commitment Required |
| National Charter | Explicit roadmap for implementing July Reform Commission findings. |
| Referendum Stance | Unambiguous ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ on the four key constitutional questions. |
| Accountability | Mechanisms to end enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. |
| Constitutional Balance | Redefining powers between the President and the Prime Minister. |
| Economic Reform | Combating “lootocracy” and the commercialisation of politics. |
| Institutional Strength | Declaring the Anti-Corruption Commission a constitutional body. |
The SHUJAN Secretary also highlighted the alarming trend of wealth accumulation among politicians, referring to political power as a “magic wand” for personal gain. He urged parties to explain how they intend to dismantle the “nexus of business and politics” that has historically prioritised coterie interests over public welfare. To illustrate the dangers of broken promises, he cited the 2008 “Charter for Change,” noting that the subsequent failure of the winning party to honour its written commitments came at a heavy national price.
Furthering the discussion, Professor AKM Waresul Karim, Dean at North South University, presented 15 specific recommendations that SHUJAN believes are vital for any credible manifesto. These range from ensuring the accountability of law enforcement agencies to establishing a merit-based society and strengthening local government.4 The conference concluded with a warning that a free and fair election is merely the first step; the true measure of success will be the institutionalisation of a democracy that remains robust and transparent long after the ballots are counted.