Disagreement among political parties over the implementation of the July National Charter and the proposed referendum has reached its peak. The interim government had given political parties seven days from November 3 to reach a consensus, but with that deadline now expired, no agreement has been achieved. As a result, the final decision regarding the July Charter now rests with the government.
Multiple government sources have indicated that a decision may be taken at the meeting of the Advisory Council on Thursday. The government is expected to issue an ordinance by November 15 to implement the July Charter and organize a referendum. According to policy-level sources, the government is leaning toward holding the referendum on the same day as the upcoming national election, rather than organizing it beforehand.
Top BNP leaders have stated that if the government moves to hold the referendum before the national election, the party will not accept the decision. The BNP argues that such a move would deepen political divisions and delay the electoral process. Instead, the party prefers implementation of the charter through post-election national consensus.
BNP has also opposed the government’s proposal on constitutional grounds, pointing out that there is no explicit provision for referendums in the Constitution—an issue that could create legal complications without an amendment.
BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed told reporters at his residence on Wednesday: “We hope the government will not take any step that creates division or discord within the nation. We will cooperate as a political party, participate in the election, and motivate the public—but the government has already deviated far from the spirit in which the July National Charter was signed.”
On the other hand, Islamic and right-leaning parties, including the NCP and Jamaat-e-Islami, are demanding that the referendum be held before the national election, arguing that the people’s opinion must be tested first. Jamaat-e-Islami has warned that it will boycott the election if the legal foundation of the July Charter is not ensured.
At a press conference in Dhaka Wednesday, eight religion-based parties—including Jamaat—threatened to launch an indefinite sit-in in front of the Chief Adviser’s residence at Jamuna if their demand for an immediate referendum by November is not met. Jamaat’s Naib-e-Ameer Mujibur Rahman declared: “If the people’s demand is ignored before Sunday’s meeting, we will begin an indefinite sit-in in front of the Chief Adviser’s Office at Jamuna.”
Earlier, Jamaat’s Ameer stated at a rally in Dhaka: “Those who refuse to recognize the July Revolution will not see an election in 2026. There can be no election without the legal recognition of the July Revolution and its charter. Without that, no election can take place.”
According to insider sources, the government may formulate a compromise plan by integrating various parties’ proposals to resolve the deadlock. The proposal would see the referendum held on the same day as the national election, without any “note of dissent.” As part of BNP’s demand, a Constitution Reform Council may be formed in the next parliament, empowered to amend the Constitution based on recommendations previously submitted by dissenting parties.
To accommodate demands from Jamaat, NCP, and other groups, provisions may also be introduced for the formation of an upper house of parliament under a proportional representation system.
The draft process for the July Charter and efforts to build political consensus are being led by Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, Adilur Rahman Khan, Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud, Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, and National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman.
Initially, the government had planned to include only one question in the referendum. However, that plan has since changed. Of the 48 proposed constitutional reforms, most parties—including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and NCP—agree on 30 proposals. Voters will be asked in the referendum whether they support implementing these 30 agreed-upon reforms. The remaining 18 proposals, where disagreements persist, may be presented as three separate questions in the referendum.
According to the National Consensus Commission’s recommendations, the government will first issue the “July National Charter Implementation Ordinance.” Following that, the referendum will be held on the 48 reform proposals. If the “Yes” vote prevails, the next parliament will act as a Constitution Reform Council, tasked with completing the reforms within 270 days. If it fails to do so, the proposed reforms will automatically become part of the Constitution.
Rashed Khan, general secretary of the Gonodhikar Parishad, told Dhaka Tribune: “The government has created confusion over the July Charter. The Commission had earlier said the referendum and the national election would be held simultaneously. Now the government is saying something else. We demand a final decision immediately.”
Saiful Haque, general secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party, told Dhaka Tribune: “The current political stalemate is not solely the government’s fault—the political parties are also responsible. Had there been sincerity from all sides, the situation would be different. The government gave time, but the parties failed to use it wisely.”
He added: “We believe the government should bring forward a comprehensive proposal that prioritizes the national interest above all else.”
