EC outlines referendum question along with proposed reforms

The Election Commission (EC) has announced that the 13^th National Parliamentary Election and the national referendum will be held on the same day, unveiling the referendum question along with the proposed reforms.

A notification signed by Director (Public Relations) and Information Officer Md Ruhul Amin Mallick confirmed the decision.

The referendum question reads, “Do you agree with the July National Charter (Constitutional Amendment) Order, 2025, and the proposals related to constitutional amendments recorded in the July National Charter? (Yes/No)”

According to the notification, the proposals cover several major areas:

(A) The caretaker government, the Election Commission, and other constitutional bodies will be constituted in line with the July Charter.

(B) The next National Parliament will be bicameral, and an Upper House will be formed with 100 members in proportion to the votes received by the parties in the National Parliament elections. The approval of the majority of the Upper House members will be required to amend the Constitution.

(C) The political parties that win the next parliamentary elections will be obligated to implement the 30 issues mentioned in the July National Charter, including increasing women’s representation in parliament, electing deputy speakers and parliamentary committee chairpersons from opposition parties, ensuring fundamental rights, strengthening judicial independence, empowering local government, determining the term of office of the Prime Minister, and defining the powers of the President, as agreed upon in the July National Charter.

(D) Other reforms mentioned in the July National Charter will also be implemented as promised by the political parties.

Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarkar informed that the EC is fully prepared to conduct both the national election and the referendum on the same day. We will hold the parliamentary election and referendum simultaneously in the second week of February 2026, just before Ramadan. Mock voting has already been conducted regarding simultaneous voting, he added.

Since voters will cast two ballots, he said, the process will take slightly more time. For this reason, the Commission is actively considering extending voting hours and increasing the number of booths. He added that the next commission meeting will make a final decision on these matters.

Anwarul Islam said, “I believe that if the national election and referendum are held on the same day, voters will come to the polling centres spontaneously. This will create a festive atmosphere. And the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and the Cultural Affairs MiniThe Information and Broadcasting Ministry, along with the Cultural Affairs Ministry, will initiate the campaign for the national election and referendum.