Parties set to sign July Charter as Yunus reaffirms Feb polls

Bangla Press Desk: Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday reaffirmed that Bangladesh’s next parliamentary election will be held in February in a “festive mood,” as political parties prepare to sign the long-awaited July National Charter 2025 tomorrow, despite lingering uncertainty.

Speaking at a meeting of the National Consensus Commission (NCC) with representatives of political parties at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, Prof Yunus said the upcoming election and the July Charter were “interrelated” and that both must move forward together.

“We have repeatedly said that elections must be held in February – and they will be held in a festive mood,” the chief adviser told participants, adding, “We will do everything possible to make the election a festive one. We will not compromise in this regard.”

He expressed optimism that the signing of the July National Charter 2025, scheduled for Friday at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Complex, would mark “an occasion of celebration for the whole nation.”

“What seemed impossible has become possible because of your support,” he said.   

“We will join the ceremony in a festive mood and sign the Charter. This is our hope, and we will spread it to the whole nation.”

The chief adviser, who also chairs the NCC, thanked political leaders and commission members for their cooperation, saying, “This is the end of a big chapter as a new one begins.”

Last-minute uncertainty over Charter details

Despite preparations being nearly complete, both the interim government and the NCC continue to face last-minute uncertainty over aspects of the Charter’s implementation.

To address these concerns, Prof Yunus convened an emergency meeting on Wednesday evening with leaders of 33 political parties and alliances who had taken part in earlier reform talks.

Parties represented included the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP), Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB), AB Party, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Islami Oikya Jote, Khelafat Majlis, Nagorik Oikya, Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM), Gono Odhikar Parishad, Gono Forum, Gana Samhati Andolan, Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party, 12-party alliance, Left Democratic Alliance, Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BASOD) and BASOD (Marxist).

Earlier on Tuesday night, the NCC had circulated the final draft of the Charter to the parties. However, several left-leaning parties, including the CPB, Bangladesh JSD, BASOD, and BASOD (Marxist), announced they would not sign, citing the Charter’s lack of historical reflection on the Liberation War and independence. Their stance remained unchanged after Wednesday’s talks, while Gono Forum also hinted it may abstain unless revisions are made.

“If the July Charter is not amended by Thursday, we will not sign it,” Gono Forum leader Mizanur Rahman told reporters after the meeting.

Bazlur Rashid Firoz, general secretary of Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BASOD), said his party would not sign as “the history of the Liberation War and independence was not reflected in the background of the charter.”

The uncertainty largely stems from differences among parties over how the Charter will be implemented. The Commission had been expected to provide specific recommendations on the issue, but these have yet to be finalised.

Parties pledge to sign with notes of dissent

Despite disagreements, most parties indicated readiness to sign the document on Friday.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said the entire nation wanted reform and that the BNP shared that aspiration.

“We will all sign the July Charter,” he said, adding, “All issues on which there are differences of opinion – notes of dissent – will be clearly mentioned in the clauses. We have discussed this in the commission for the jurisdiction to issue a note of dissent.”

Jamaat-e-Islami Naib-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said his party expected to attend the signing ceremony, despite insisting on a referendum before the elections.

NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossain emphasised clarity in implementation, “Our main goal is to clear the path for implementing the July Charter. If the Charter is signed after everything is clear, that will be our success.”

Referendum timing divides parties

While all parties participating in the reform talks had agreed on holding a referendum to implement the Charter, they remain split on timing. BNP and several allies favour holding the referendum alongside the national elections, while Jamaat-e-Islami and others insist it should take place beforehand. Despite these differences, both sides have agreed to sign the Charter on Friday.

Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul expressed confidence that the signing would proceed as planned.

“All political parties participated sincerely in discussions on the July Charter and are expected to sign in the same spirit. I believe that all political parties will sign the July Charter,” he said at the Secretariat.

NCC Vice-Chairman Prof Ali Riaz, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, and Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser M Siraz Uddin Miah were also present at the meeting.

Summing up the spirit of consensus, Prof Yunus said the Charter would be remembered as “a remarkable thing in the world political system,” adding:

“Political leaders not only discussed issues but also came up with solutions. The July Charter will become a big asset for the nation.”

BP/SP