EC unveils referendum questions for same-day vote with JS polls
The Election Commission (EC) has confirmed that the 13th National Parliament election and the planned national referendum will be held on the same day. A circular detailing the referendum process, ballot questions, and reform issues was issued on Tuesday.
The notice, signed by EC Secretariat Director (Public Relations) Md Ruhul Amin Mallick, states: “It is hereby informed to the public that the 13th National Parliament election and the referendum will be held on the same day.”
For the first time in Bangladesh’s electoral history, voters will cast two ballots—one for electing representatives and another to answer four referendum questions tied to constitutional and governance reforms.
According to the circular, the referendum will ask voters:
“Do you agree to the following proposals regarding the constitutional reforms enshrined in the July National Charter (Constitutional Reforms) Implementation Order, 2025 and the July National Charter? (Yes/No)”
The four proposals on the ballot are:
(a) A caretaker government will oversee the election period, while the Election Commission and other constitutional bodies will be formed according to the process outlined in the July Charter.
(b) The next National Parliament will become bicameral, introducing a 100-member upper house based on proportional party votes. Any constitutional amendment will require approval from a majority in the upper house.
(c) Political parties forming the next government must implement the 30-point reform agenda under the July National Charter — including increased women’s representation, electing deputy speakers and committee heads from the opposition, and reforming judicial independence, local governance, presidential powers, and the prime minister’s term limits.
(d) Other promised reforms under the July National Charter must also be carried out by political parties.
The EC said further operational details, including ballot design and polling instructions, will be issued in the coming days.