‘Yes’ wins in nationwide referendum amid strong voter participation

Bangladesh recorded strong voter participation in Thursday’s historic referendum, with approximately 68 per cent of citizens endorsing the proposed constitutional reforms, officials said on Friday.

According to Senior Secretary of the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) Akhtar Ahmed, 4,80,74,429 people voted “yes,” while 2,25,65,627 opted for “no.” Overall participation in the referendum reached 60.26 per cent, slightly higher than the 59.44 per cent turnout in the simultaneous 13th National Parliamentary Election.

The higher participation in the referendum was attributed to the fact that voting in two parliamentary constituencies remained stayed by court order, while the referendum faced no such legal restrictions.

Officials said that results from 297 out of 299 constituencies have been declared unofficially. Based on these counts, the seat distribution in the parliamentary election is as follows: BNP 209 seats; Jamaat-e-Islami 68 seats; NCP 6 seats; Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish 2 seats; Islami Andolan Bangladesh: 1 seat; Gono Odhikar Parishad: 1 seat; BJP: 1 seat; Gono Songhoti Andolon: 1 seat; Khelafat Majlish: 1 seat; and independent candidates: 7 seats.

The EC confirmed that the official gazette notification, which formally publishes the election results, will be issued shortly after all procedural requirements are completed. Hard copies of the results will also be available at the offices of respective Returning Officers later in the day.

Speaking at a press briefing, Akhtar Ahmed emphasised the peaceful conduct of both the parliamentary election and referendum, describing the simultaneous exercises as a demonstration of the public’s commitment to democratic governance.

“This referendum represents an unprecedented exercise of people’s power,” he said adding that the overwhelming support for ‘yes’ shows the electorate’s resolve to participate in shaping the nation’s future.

The referendum and election marked the first time in Bangladesh’s history that voters simultaneously cast ballots for both parliamentary representatives and a national constitutional amendment, reflecting a broad desire for political stability and democratic continuity.