Dhaka, Nov. 5 – Bangladesh’s political scene grew more tense on Wednesday as the Islamist party Jamaat‑e‑Islami pressed for a separate referendum on its July National Charter before the February 2026 elections.
After meeting Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary‑General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad told reporters that the party’s eight‑party coalition wants the vote “any day before the election.” Azad added that holding the referendum on the same day as the national polls would “seriously undermine its importance.”
Jamaat has accused the Muhammad Yunus‑led interim government of postponing the charter vote and warned that the timing could sow confusion among voters. BNP, on the other hand, has pushed for a referendum on election day, sparking a clash with Jamaat over the best approach.
In a related development, BNP leaders have raised concerns that the interim administration might use “unlawful means” to secure a win for its allies. NCP convener Nahid Islam said that both BNP and Jamaat are stalling reforms and delaying the February elections, calling their disagreement over the referendum’s timing “unnecessary.”
The debate centers on which reforms to include in the charter, the legal process, and whether Muhammad Yunus will sign off on implementation. If parties agree on these points, the referendum could happen either before the elections or on the same day.
Bangladesh continues to face uncertainty as former allies of Yunus clash over reform proposals ahead of next year’s vote. The ruling Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina, sits on the sidelines as the country’s political future hangs in the balance.
Source: ianslive
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