Bangladesh Announces Referendum on National Reform Charter

Bangladesh Announces Referendum on National Reform Charter

Why in News?

Bangladesh has announced the next Parliamentary Election and a referendum on the National Reform Charter will take place together in early February next year, creating a single decisive moment where citizens will participate in a signal political direction and unified democratic exercise.

What is Bangladesh’s National Reform Charter?

• The National Reform Charter or July National Charter 2025 is a political roadmap for deep constitutional and institutional reforms in Bangladesh. 
• The July Charter calls for deep constitutional reforms to redesign the country’s foundation so that institutions are more robust, inclusive, and just. 
• This is a broad political agreement reached in the wake of a mass July Uprising in July–August 2024, when students and citizens forced a change in government. 
• It represents a consensus among many political parties and the interim government to overhaul the state’s institutions and governance. 
• The Charter was drafted by a National Consensus Commission created by the interim government. 
• In October 2025, 25 political parties and the interim government reached an agreement on the Charter’s roadmap.
• On 13 November 2025, President Mohammed Shahabuddin signed the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order, 2025. The government officially published this in the gazette the same day. 
• The Charter is a foundation for a “New Bangladesh” — one born of consensus, reform, and people’s power. 

Provisions of the July National Charter

• Constitutional Reform: The charter states that the referendum expresses the sovereign will of the people and allows every eligible voter to approve or reject the reform plan. The order demands that the Election Commission supervise the secret ballot process under this legal framework.

• Question to Citizens: The order presents one formal question on the ballot where voters will express consent to the Implementation Order, lists four major themes in the question: the caretaker government model, a plan for a bicameral legislature, obligations to implement 30 agreed reform proposals, and a promise to advance additional reforms.

• Bicameral Legislature: The order states that the next Parliament will shift from a single house to a bicameral structure. The order provides that an Upper House of 100 members will be formed using proportional representation based on votes received in the national parliamentary election. 

• Implementation: The order obliges all winning political parties in the upcoming election to follow through with 30 reform proposals accepted through national consensus including expanding women’s participation, electing committee leaders from opposition benches, limiting the Prime Minister’s tenure, strengthening the Presidency, expanding fundamental rights, supporting judicial independence.

• Process: The order mandates that each participant casts one secret vote. The order aligns the referendum with the National Assembly election, which follows immediately after the promulgation of this order.

• Constitutional Reform Council: The order states that if the referendum results show a majority saying “yes”, then a Constitutional Reform Council shall form. The order states that members elected to the new Parliament will also automatically serve as members of this Council.

• Time-Bound: The order instructs the Council to complete the entire constitutional reform process within 180 working days from the start of its first session. The order states that the Council will complete its task and then dissolve once the final reform is approved.

• Oath: The order requires all members of Parliament to take their parliamentary oath and their Council oath at the same ceremony. The order includes a prescribed oath text in Schedule-1, making the process legally consistent.

• Council Leadership: The order directs the Council to elect a Chairman and Vice-Chairman during its very first meeting. The order states that a senior member will preside temporarily until the leadership election is completed.

• Convening Sessions: The order states that the first Council session must take place within 30 days of election result declarations. The order also states that 60 members must be present to meet the quorum requirement.

July Uprising 2024 in Bangladesh

• The July Uprising refers to a massive student-led and public movement that occurred in Bangladesh in July–August 2024, which fundamentally reshaped the country’s political landscape. 
• It began as a series of protests led by university students in Dhaka and several other major cities against government corruption, authoritarian practices, and economic mismanagement. 
• The protests quickly gained nationwide support from the general public, workers, and civil society organizations, making it one of the largest uprisings in Bangladesh’s recent history.
• Students organized peaceful demonstrations demanding accountability, transparency, and immediate political reforms. Over a few weeks, these protests intensified, spreading to other cities like Chittagong, Khulna, Sylhet, and Rajshahi. 
• The government initially attempted to suppress the movement through security forces, but public solidarity and persistent demonstrations made these attempts ineffective.
• But soon, on August 5, 2024, the government, faced immense pressure, resigned, effectively ending the authoritarian rule that had dominated for years. The National Parliament was dissolved the next day.
• By August 8, 2024, a caretaker interim government was formed, led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, tasked with overseeing the transition and implementing democratic reforms.

Future Impact of this Charter 

• Strengths Democratic Institutions: By creating a bicameral Parliament with an upper house of 100 members elected proportionally, it will enhance checks and balances, improve legislative scrutiny, and prevent concentration of power in the lower house.
• Enhance Electoral Integrity: By reforming the Election Commission and introducing guidelines for a caretaker government during elections, the Charter will ensure free, fair, and transparent elections, reducing the possibility of manipulation or partisan influence.
• Inclusive Political Representation: The Charter mandates increased women’s participation in Parliament and guarantees key positions for opposition members in parliamentary committees. This will foster broader representation and more inclusive decision-making in governance.
• Empower Local Governance: Provisions in the Charter will strengthen judicial independence and enhance local government autonomy, creating a more accountable legal system and responsive local administration that can uphold citizens’ rights effectively.

Concerns Regarding the Charter 

• Implementation Challenges: Although political parties pledged to implement the Charter, there is concern that once the referendum passes, certain groups may resist specific provisions. Opposition parties or factions within ruling alliances might interpret reforms differently.
• Voter Awareness: A nationwide referendum is central to approving the Charter, but low public awareness could be a critical challenge. Many citizens may not fully understand the technical details. Insufficient voter education could reduce informed participation and create legitimacy concerns for the approved reforms.
• Potential Overlap: The Charter envisions that elected members of Parliament will also serve as members of the Constitutional Reform Council. This dual role raises concerns about workload and conflicts of interest. Legislators balancing regular parliamentary duties and reform responsibilities may face challenges.
• Risk of Political Manipulation: There is concern that political actors may attempt to manipulate outcomes, particularly in proportional representation for the upper house or in key appointments such as opposition chairs in committees. Any perceived bias could undermine the credibility of the Charter and affect public confidence in the democratic process.
• Institutional Readiness: Many reforms, including judicial independence, local governance empowerment, and administrative restructuring, require robust institutional capacity. Bangladesh’s existing bureaucracy, judicial system, and local government structures may face challenges in implementing reforms effectively.