Professor Ali Riaz, special assistant to the chief adviser has stated that there is no legal restriction preventing public servants from campaigning in favour of a "Yes" vote in the referendum.
He said that the upcoming referendum is not aimed at bringing any political party to power or preventing any party from doing so. Rather, it is an agenda for state reform based on the July National Charter, written in blood and belonging to all the people of Bangladesh.
The referendum, he added, is a process of seeking public consent through which the future direction of the country will be determined.
Ali Riaz made these remarks on Saturday while addressing a meeting with divisional officials and representatives, organized to promote referendum awareness and voter motivation.
The meeting was held in the morning at the Biam Foundation auditorium in the capital and was organized by the Dhaka Divisional Administration.
Professor Ali Riaz said that discussions with constitutional experts, former judges and relevant legal professionals had produced a unanimous opinion that there is no legal prohibition on public servants campaigning in favour of a ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum. Those claiming otherwise, he said, are either spreading misinformation or raising the issue with ulterior motives.
Referring to the period between 2009 and 2024, he said that those who fought against a personalized authoritarian system—those who sacrificed their lives, endured imprisonment, repression, enforced disappearances, killings and extrajudicial executions—have left behind two clear responsibilities. One is to ensure that such personalized autocracy never returns, and the other is to design the roadmap for Bangladesh’s future.
He noted that one-third of Bangladesh’s population is under the age of 27 to 37 and that it is the responsibility of the present generation to determine how the country will progress over the next 40 years and to set it on a path towards rapid success and prosperity.
Ali Riaz further stated that public servants are not only officials and employees of the Republic but also citizens. As such, their role in determining the future structure of the state is significant.
Referring to Article 21 of the Constitution, he said it outlines the duty of public servants to serve the people at all times, as well as citizens’ responsibilities to uphold the law, maintain discipline and protect national assets. In this context, raising awareness about the referendum and encouraging voter participation should be regarded as part of civic duty.
Addressing public confusion surrounding the referendum, speakers at the meeting said that, due to long-standing public mistrust in electoral processes, the referendum is a new experience for many people. Therefore, it is necessary to explain how to cast a ballot and what a "Yes" or "No" vote signifies.
They added that the "tick mark" on the referendum ballot should be used as the main campaign symbol to encourage people to come to polling centres and cast their votes.
Ali Riaz also said that the current interim government is working under three mandates arising from the July uprising 2024: reform, justice and elections.
He clarified that the government does not conduct elections but creates a conducive environment, while the Election Commission administers the process. Similarly, the judiciary conducts trials, with the government ensuring an enabling environment for the judicial process.
Referring to past constitutional amendments, he said that amendments had previously been made at the will of a single individual.
He cited the Fifteenth Amendment, noting that a parliamentary committee was formed consisting only of members of the Awami League. Although the committee initially decided to retain the caretaker government system with certain conditions, this decision was later reversed in a meeting with the Prime Minister. As a result, the Fifteenth Amendment and the abolition of the caretaker government system were enacted based on the decision of one individual. He stressed that constitutional amendments must no longer be treated as a “child’s play”.
In his address as a special guest, Monir Haider said that 48 recommendations on constitutional reform are being placed before the referendum under four categories. Although there are four categories, he said, the question is effectively one: whether the people support or oppose the July uprising.
He warned that failure of the referendum would allow fascism to return, with consequences too horrific to imagine.
Referring to the Proclamation of Independence, he said that the goal of the Liberation War was to establish a state based on equality, human dignity and social justice.
He further added that unfortunately this goal has not been achieved over the past 54 years, as individuals and groups have abused independence for narrow self-interest. The July uprising, he said, has created an opportunity to realize the true objectives of the Liberation War, and that opportunity must now be seized through the referendum.
