The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has announced a nationwide campaign in support of the “Yes” vote in the referendum scheduled for February 12.
Alongside the campaign, the organization also unveiled plans to appoint polling agents and publish an official list of agents to help secure a “Yes” outcome.
Speaking at a press conference held at 12pm on Monday in front of Madhur Canteen at the University of Dhaka, the organization’s President, Rifat Rashid, said that a lack of accountability in state governance, the participation of loan defaulters and dual citizens in politics, and controversial remarks by those in power are pushing the country toward uncertainty.
In such a situation, he said, ensuring a victory for the “Yes” vote in the referendum has become an urgent necessity.
Rifat Rashid stated that, in the post-July period, Bangladesh stands at a critical crossroads.
He said the state—achieved through a long historical struggle and immense bloodshed—has repeatedly fallen into crisis due to the power-hungry and self-serving politics of certain groups.
“Ordinary people shed their blood, while a specific class exploits that sacrifice for its own benefit,” he added.
He further said that the outcomes of the reform proposals presented through the Consensus Commission remain unclear to the general public.
According to him, the questions and clauses included in the referendum are not easily understandable, and the method of voting on multiple issues at once contradicts democratic logic.
While criticizing both the interim government and the Consensus Commission as overall failures, he noted that the referendum still offers at least a partial opportunity to implement reforms.
Rifat Rashid also said: “If the ‘Yes’ vote does not win, there will be no moral or political basis to compel a future government to pursue reforms. Therefore, securing victory for the ‘Yes’ vote is crucial to place the struggles ahead on a strong foundation.”
At the press conference, the organization announced the detailed schedule of its nationwide campaign.
According to the plan:
On February 3, a “Yes Rally” will be held at 9am in Pirganj, Rangpur, followed by a program at Rangpur Town Hall at 3pm, and meetings with families of martyrs later that day.
On February 4, a “Yes Rally” will take place at 11am in Rajshahi, followed by a program at 3pm.
On February 5, meetings with families of martyrs will be held at 10am in Khulna, followed by a “Yes Rally” at 11:30am. On the same day, similar meetings will be held at 5pm in Barisal, followed by a “Yes Rally” at 7:30pm.
On February 6, meetings with martyr families will be held at 10am in Mymensingh, followed by a “Yes Rally” at 3pm.
On February 7, meetings with martyr families will take place at 10am in Sylhet, followed by a “Yes Rally” at 3pm.
On February 8, meetings with martyr families will be held at 10am in Chittagong, followed by a “Yes Rally” at 5pm.
On February 9, a “Yes March” will begin at 3:30pm from Shahbagh in Dhaka.
On February 10, at 12pm, the organization will hold a press conference at Madhur Canteen, University of Dhaka, to publish its official list of polling agents for the referendum.
He added that through the appointment and public disclosure of polling agents, the organization aims to ensure a coordinated presence in favor of the “Yes” vote at polling centers and to play an active role in protecting the people’s voting rights.
