EXPLAINERNews|Bangladesh Election 2026Bangladesh referendum: The big post-election flashpoint?The referendum based on the July National Charter in Bangladesh has revealed divisions between the BNP and Jamaat.
In conjunction with the recent parliamentary election in Bangladesh, a national referendum was conducted to address proposed constitutional reforms following the events of July 2024, which included the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The…
In conjunction with the recent parliamentary election in Bangladesh, a national referendum was conducted to address proposed constitutional reforms following the events of July 2024, which included the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The July National Charter, endorsed by a majority of political parties last year, received approval from 60.26 percent of voters.
The referendum has revealed a divide between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, and the opposition, headed by Jamaat-e-Islami. Newly elected BNP members of parliament have declined to take an oath as members of a new Constitution Reform Council, creating uncertainty regarding the future of the reforms.
In July 2024, student protests erupted in Bangladesh against a job quota system favoring descendants of the 1971 freedom fighters. The protests intensified, leading to a crackdown ordered by then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, resulting in significant casualties. The International Crimes Tribunal later found Hasina guilty of crimes against humanity, leading to her exile to India. Subsequently, her Awami League party was banned from political activities.
Following Hasina's ousting, Muhammad Yunus assumed leadership as the interim head of a caretaker government. The July National Charter 2025, drafted by this interim government, outlines constitutional amendments and legal changes. Key reforms include enhancing women's political representation, imposing term limits for the prime minister, expanding presidential powers, and protecting judicial independence. The charter also proposes the creation of a 100-member upper chamber in addition to the existing 350-member Jatiya Sangsad.
The July National Charter, endorsed by a majority of political parties last year, received approval from 60.26 percent of voters.
The BNP initially expressed skepticism regarding the referendum but later endorsed a "yes" vote. The implementation of the charter requires the establishment of a Constitution Reform Council to enact the amendments within 180 days.
Newly elected MPs in Bangladesh were required to take two oaths: one to uphold the Constitution and another to implement the July National Charter 2025. BNP MPs refused to take the second oath, drawing criticism from Jamaat and its ally, the National Citizen Party (NCP). This refusal has delayed the constitution of the Constitutional Reform Council, as only those who took the second oath are eligible to sit on the Council.
Salahuddin Ahmed, a BNP committee member, stated that the refusal to take the second oath is due to the Constitution Reform Council not being approved by parliament. Despite this, the BNP remains committed to implementing the reforms as outlined in the July National Charter.
The primary contention for the BNP lies in the proposed formation of a second, 100-member upper chamber of parliament. While the BNP advocates for maintaining the first-past-the-post (FPTP) electoral system, the charter recommends proportional representation for the upper house. This would align seat distribution more closely with overall vote share, potentially disadvantaging the BNP, which favors the FPTP system due to its parliamentary majority.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.