In Dhaka, the National Citizen Party (NCP) announced that it will sign the July Charter only after the Bangladesh interim government clarifies how the charter will be implemented, how the upcoming referendum will work, and how the reform process will run. NCP chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary told reporters on Friday that the government’s plans are still vague.
“We still don’t know the exact details of the implementation order, the referendum, or the reform process,” Patwary said. “We will sign the charter only once those matters are clear.”
Patwary criticized the government’s proposal for a four‑question referendum, saying the questions labeled A to D lack detail. He also warned that the referendum and elections should not be used as a vote‑bank tool, arguing that unclear wording could drive voter backlash. “The charter may have a legal basis, but it needs moral legitimacy,” he added.
Earlier, the Islamist party Jamaat‑e‑Islami blasted the interim government’s Chief Advisor, Muhammad Yunus, for announcing that the national election and a referendum would occur at the same time in February 2026. Yunus claimed the joint timing would be festive and cost‑effective, but the statement sparked criticism.
Jamaat‑e‑Islami leader Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, speaking for an eight‑party alliance, called on Yunus to withdraw the statement. “The referendum must be held before the national election,” Taher said. “Holding them together is confusing. The cost savings are minimal and should not override national interests.”
The alliance plans to keep protest rallies going across Bangladesh, pushing for five key demands. These include holding a referendum before the election and securing an official order to implement the July Charter.
The country continues to face growing uncertainty as the 2026 elections approach. Political tensions are high, with former opposition groups that helped oust the Awami League still at odds over reform plans. The upcoming referendum and elections will be critical tests for Bangladesh’s democracy.
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