Under what framework will the national election take place?

Bangla Press Desk:  After the signing of the July Charter, attention has shifted to how the next national parliamentary election will be conducted. The central question now dominating public discussion is what framework will guide the upcoming polls. Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has asked political parties to decide on the basis for the election, but sharp divisions among them persist.

The BNP believes that after the signing of the July Charter, there are no longer any obstacles to holding the national election. The party says the nation will decide on the July Charter through a referendum to be held on the same day as the election. However, others insist that a referendum must first be held to give the charter legal standing before organizing the national election. Senior leaders of the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, and other political parties expressed their opinions on these issues while speaking to Bangladesh Pratidin.

“Election train has already started moving” – Salahuddin Ahmed

BNP National Standing Committee member and former state minister Salahuddin Ahmed said, “The July Charter has been signed. The country’s election train has already started its journey. The next national election will be held constitutionally in February. Political parties have already begun their preparations accordingly. Once the referendum date is finalized, there will be no more problems.”

Speaking to Bangladesh Pratidin about the country’s latest political situation, Salahuddin Ahmed said 25 political parties have signed the charter with consensus. “The four or five parties that haven’t signed yet haven’t said they won’t. They may sign anytime. Now comes the question of implementation. The issues that can be implemented through government circulars will be done that way, while those requiring constitutional amendments will be carried out by the next elected parliament,” he explained.

Commenting on the Chief Adviser’s remark — “Now you decide how to hold the election” — Salahuddin said Dr. Yunus was actually referring to discussions on the referendum regarding the July Charter. “We’ve already agreed on holding that referendum. The only issue left to decide is whether the referendum will be held before or simultaneously with the national election. We’ve proposed conducting both votes together using one ballot to save money, manpower, and time,” he said.

He added that some parties want the referendum held separately before the election, but that would require a huge expenditure of national resources. “The Chief Adviser has asked the political parties to discuss this issue,” he added.

On Jamaat-e-Islami’s demand for a proportional representation (PR) system, Salahuddin Ahmed said there was no room for debate. “Article 65 of the Constitution clearly specifies the election method. The Election Commission has also clarified that the next national election will be held through direct voting as per the Constitution.”

Regarding possible alliances, the BNP leader said, “BNP will form an electoral alliance with like-minded and jointly active parties. Any group opposing fascism will also find a place in this coalition.”

“Referendum first, election later” – Golam Parwar

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar said the implementation order of the July Charter must be issued first, followed by a referendum by November. “Only after that can a fair and neutral national election be held,” he said.

According to Parwar, “Two things must now be done: first, issue the implementation order of the July Charter; second, hold a referendum to give it legal validity. The referendum should take place by November, followed by the national election.”

He disagreed with proposals to hold both votes on the same day, arguing that “it would be too difficult for voters and could lead to confusion or irregularities.” He also noted that “in large-scale elections, some polling centers often face disruptions or violence. If voting stops at those centers, the counting of both national and referendum ballots will become impossible.”

“July Charter weaker than 1990’s Three-Party Formula” – Samanta Sharmin

National Citizens Party (NCP) Senior Joint Convener Samanta Sharmin said the July Charter and the Consensus Commission are unlikely to succeed. “In its final stage, we’re seeing delays and indecision over implementation. The Consensus Commission has turned into a power-sharing arrangement, not a reform process. The July Charter is shaping up to be weaker than the 1990 three-party formula,” she said in her reaction to Bangladesh Pratidin.

She added, “All political parties were involved in drafting the charter, but now BNP and Jamaat have emerged as the most dominant players. They see themselves as holding the people’s biggest mandate — and they will bear responsibility if the July Charter fails.”

According to her, the Consensus Commission is no longer active. “It’s avoiding further discussions on implementation. But in other countries, such dialogues can last 8–10 years. Why not in Bangladesh?” she questioned.

“Referendum can be held on a separate day” – Mahmudur Rahman Manna

Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna said the referendum and national election could be held either on the same day or separately. “There’s no problem if they are held on different days. Holding the referendum separately would cost only about Tk 265 crore — a reasonable amount for such an important national issue,” he said.

On the electoral system, Manna stated, “There’s no confusion — the election will be held under the existing system of direct voting as per Article 65 of the Constitution. The proportional representation system is only Jamaat-e-Islami’s party demand.”

“Referendum and election must be on the same day” – Zonayed Saki

Ganasamhati Andolon Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki said, “After long discussions, consensus was reached and the July Charter was signed. We’ve said that the referendum and the national election should be held on the same day. The referendum will give the July Charter its legal legitimacy, and the next parliament will begin fundamental reforms.”

He added, “There are many challenges ahead, but we must overcome them to ensure a free and fair election. The Election Commission and law enforcement must act impartially to create a peaceful and credible voting environment.”

“No election without legal validity of July Charter” – Mamunul Haque

Bangladesh Khilafat Majlish Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque said there should be no national election without giving legal status to the July Charter. “We have no objection to holding the election in February, but before that, the July Charter must be given legal legitimacy through a referendum,” he said in his statement to Bangladesh Pratidin.

He warned that the legal basis of the July Charter is “a matter of national survival,” adding, “The government must immediately declare preliminary legal recognition through a presidential order and ensure full legitimacy via a referendum by December. The 13th national election must be held under the July Charter — there’s no alternative.”

Mamunul Haque further said, “If anyone tries to bypass the spirit of the July Revolution of 2024 while shaping the political future of Bangladesh, we will not leave the streets.”

BP/SP