Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said that the government is set to grant legal validity to almost all activities of the previous interim administration, including the referendum held earlier this year.
He made the remarks at a press conference on Sunday, April 12, at the Home Ministry, where the issues of 133 ordinances placed before the Jatiya Sangsad were discussed.
Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman and Chief Whip Nurul Islam were also present.
Responding to questions about the referendum held on February 12, the home minister said it was conducted under the Referendum Ordinance and would be considered valid once the interim government’s activities are formally legitimised.
“This referendum is not the one required under Article 142 of the Constitution,” he said. “However, it was held in accordance with the Referendum Ordinance. When we give constitutional legitimacy to the activities of the interim government through the Fourth Schedule, all such actions will be deemed valid.”
He added that there would be no need to enact the ordinance again, as no future referendum would be held under that law. “If a referendum is to be conducted, a separate law will need to be passed in line with constitutional provisions or outside the Constitution,” he said.
Addressing opposition criticism and threats of waging a movement to repeal the Referendum Ordinance, the minister dismissed the concerns.
“There is no point in issuing threats. The referendum is not illegal,” he said. “Once the activities of the previous government are validated, except for one or two matters, they will all become legitimate.”