[🇧🇩] July Charter

[Saif]

What are the ‘July Declaration’ and the ‘July National Charter’?

The interim government is set to present the ‘July Declaration’ before the nation on Tuesday afternoon. Meanwhile, the National Consensus Commission is working to finalise the ‘July National Charter’. Both documents have turned into topics of significant political discussion in recent times...

en.prothomalo.com

Prothom Alo Explainer
What are the ‘July Declaration’ and the ‘July National Charter’?
Riadul Karim Dhaka
Published: 04 Aug 2025, 20: 57

Students demonstrate in July, 2024 Prothom Alo file photo

The interim government is set to present the ‘July Declaration’ before the nation on Tuesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the National Consensus Commission is working to finalise the ‘July National Charter’.

Both documents have turned into topics of significant political discussion in recent times. While the two documents may appear similar, they are fundamentally different.

In simple terms, the “July Declaration” is a political document affirming the July 2024 mass uprising, aiming to grant it constitutional and state recognition.

On the other hand, the “July National Charter” is a political consensus document outlining proposed reforms in various areas of state governance and how those reforms will be implemented.

The mass uprising began in July last year under the banner of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, initially calling for civil service quota reform. It quickly evolved into a nationwide student–public uprising. On 5 August, in the face of this uprising, then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country and took refuge in India. Since the fall of that government, the student and youth leaders who led the uprising have consistently called for a formal declaration recognising the movement.

They themselves took initiatives several times to publish such a declaration. At one stage, the government held meetings with various political parties and resolved to issue the declaration from the state level.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has been especially vocal about this declaration from the beginning. Its leaders argue that without it, future regimes may brand the July Uprising as an ‘unconstitutional seizure of power’, potentially prosecuting the students, citizens, and members of the interim government involved as ‘traitors’.

The July Declaration, they say, must serve to protect and legitimise the movement.

What the July Declaration includes

According to a draft obtained from relevant sources, the July Declaration comprises 26 points. The first 21 points briefly outline the country’s historical democratic struggles, including the Liberation War, and the context that led up to the July Uprising.

The draft also includes criticisms of constitutional amendments made under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman that established the one-party BAKSAL regime. It also referred to events such as the “Pilkhana tragedy” and the “Shapla Chattar massacre”.

One clause in the draft states that an interim government was formed under the leadership of Professor Muhammad Yunus on 8 August 2024, based on the sovereign will of the people.

Subsequent sections highlight aspirations for democratic reform, justice for enforced disappearances, killings, genocide, and crimes against humanity under the Awami League’s rule. It also declares a commitment to rule of law, human rights, anti-corruption, and a democratic state free of inequality and exploitation.

One point in the draft states, “The July 2024 student–public uprising shall receive proper constitutional and state recognition. Specifically, it will be mentioned in the Preamble of the Constitution and annexed in the Schedules.”

If adopted in its current form, the July Declaration will become part of the Constitution in the future. However, the BNP has expressed a different view. While they agree on including it in the Constitution, they prefer it be added only in the Fourth Schedule, not the Preamble.

The declaration will be deemed effective retroactively from 5 August 2024.

What is the ‘July National Charter’?

After coming to power through the uprising, the interim government initiated a series of structural reforms. Political consensus has already been reached on the initial proposals submitted by six reform commissions, formed in the first phase.

The ‘July National Charter’ will be a formal document based on these agreed-upon reforms. A draft has already been prepared by the National Consensus Commission, though it has not yet been finalised.

Broadly, the draft July National Charter is divided into three sections: background and context; list of agreed reform proposals; commitments on implementation.

It states that participating parties will commit to implementing the agreed reforms within two years of forming a government through the next general election.

However, some political parties, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the NCP, have reservations about mere verbal commitments. They want the Charter to have legal binding status to ensure actual implementation.

The National Consensus Commission is expected to hold further discussions with political parties and experts before finalising the Charter. So far, 30 political parties and alliances have taken part in the discussions and are expected to sign the document.

This July National Charter will contain a framework for the future Constitution of Bangladesh.​

 

[Saif]

July charter: Commission likely to push parties for legally binding deal

Following demands from several parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh, the National Consensus Commission is considering a proposal to make the July National Charter a legally binding document.

www.thedailystar.net

July charter: Commission likely to push parties for legally binding deal

Following demands from several parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh, the National Consensus Commission is considering a proposal to make the July National Charter a legally binding document.

The commission is likely to urge political parties to pledge to enact an ordinance with special constitutional provisions, giving the charter the highest legal authority with precedence over all other laws and court rulings.

According to pledges for the parties in the latest draft of the July National Charter 2025, parties are likely to be asked to commit to ensuring full legal and constitutional protection at every stage of implementing it. If any word, sentence, or policy of the charter conflicts with the constitution or other laws, the charter would prevail.

The commission will also seek a pledge from the parties to give constitutional and state recognition to the uninterrupted struggle for democracy, human rights, and justice, and to the historical significance of the 2024 anti-discrimination democratic movement and mass uprising.

Prof Ali Riaz, vice-president of the commission, told The Daily Star yesterday that they hope to send the draft to the political parties today or tomorrow. "Our work on the draft is at the final stage," he said.

Asked whether the document will be legally binding, he said the commission was holding discussions with legal experts on the matter.

Prof Riaz yesterday briefed Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on the overall progress of the July Charter. Asked when the commission would hold its third-phase meetings with political parties on the implementation and legal basis of the charter, he said no decision has yet been made.

The pledges to be sought from the parties also include ensuring constitutional recognition of the July uprising, justice for those killed during the uprising, granting state honours to the martyrs, and arranging treatment and rehabilitation for the injured.

"Any recommendations in this charter deemed immediately implementable will be carried out by the government and relevant authorities without delay and with effective measures before the next national parliamentary election," one of the pledges in the draft states.

On Sunday and Tuesday, the commission held talks with constitutional and legal experts and, according to sources, prepared a nine-point pledge for implementing the charter.

Prof Riaz told The Daily Star that discussions were held on how to implement the July Charter and give it legal backing, and that various proposals were presented.

However, he added that the pledges for the charter's implementation and legal basis have not yet been finalised, and the discussion is ongoing.

The July 2024 mass uprising, led by students and the public, toppled the Awami League government. On August 8, an interim government headed by Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus took office.

After the Prof Muhammad Yunus-led interim government took charge following the fall of the Awami League regime in August last year, six commissions were initially formed to recommend basic reforms. Later, Prof Yunus formed the consensus commission with heads of the reform commissions. Under Prof Yunus, the consensus commission is tasked with preparing the July Charter through dialogues with and consensus among political parties, to serve as a blueprint for future governance.

In March, the commission held its first round of talks with 32 political parties and alliances on 166 proposals, reaching consensus on 62. In the second round, agreement was reached on 20 issues, while BNP, Jamaat, NCP and others placed notes of dissent on nine.

The preliminary draft of the charter, based on the 82 agreed proposals, was sent to the parties on July 28. In that draft, the commission asked parties to pledge to recognise and "enshrine the historical importance of the 2024 anti-discrimination democratic movement and popular uprising in the constitution with due prominence".

That version, however, made no mention of constitutional and state recognition for the broader democratic struggle or of ensuring justice for the killings.

Clause 3 of that draft proposed implementing the recommendations within two years after the next general election, which is now slated for February 2026. BNP and like-minded parties supported this, but Jamaat, NCP, Islami Andolan, and others demanded full implementation and legal backing within the tenure of the current government, threatening to withhold their signatures otherwise.

In response, the commission began preparing an outline for swift implementation. The integrated draft now being developed will include the background of the uprising, the formation of reform commissions, the 82 agreed proposals, and the nine-point pledge for implementation, according to commission sources.

The pledges state that jurisdiction over the charter's interpretation and legality will rest solely with the Appellate Division. They also state that the charter will be fully legally effective, and that no court may question its legality, necessity, or authority.

They also stipulate that necessary ordinances will be issued to ensure its provisions prevail over article 93(2) of the constitution or any other law or judgment.

One of the pledges, if approved by the parties, will allow amendments to the constitution, judiciary, electoral system, public administration, policing, and anti-corruption measures, as well as the enactment or revision of laws, rules, and regulations, to implement the charter's recommendations.​

 

[Saif]

July Charter draft disappoints some political parties

A few political parties, including the National Citizen Party, on Sunday expressed their disappointment with the draft July National Charter 2025 that was shared with political parties concerned by the National Consensus Commission on Saturday...

www.newagebd.net

July Charter draft disappoints some political parties
Sadiqur Rahman 18 August, 2025, 00:20

AFP file photo

A few political parties, including the National Citizen Party, on Sunday expressed their disappointment with the draft July National Charter 2025 that was shared with political parties concerned by the National Consensus Commission on Saturday.

The draft charter is divided into three parts: a prologue outlining the historical context of the intended reform initiatives, a set of 84 reform issues accepted by the majority of parties, and a covenant.

Representatives of the parties dissatisfied with the draft told New Age that the prologue contains ‘partial’ history while the set of reform issues doesn’t spell out all the disagreements, and the covenant is ‘confusing’.

Parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Khelafat Majlis, and Amar Bangladesh Party, said that they would convey their feedbacks by August 20 after discussing the draft on the party forum.

The Ganosamhati Andolan, Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-Jasod expressed some concerns about the draft while the Communist Party of Bangladesh and Gano Forum criticised the draft, saying that it undermined the constitution.

NCP joint convener Javed Rasin said that his party was frustrated with the draft charter. His party will express its concern to the consensus commission, he said.

‘There is no timeline. Although the covenant pledges to execute the immediately implementable reforms by the government, there is no guideline on the method of implementation,’ Javed said.

The last section of the eight-point covenant says that the signatories have agreed that any reform measures mentioned in the charter that are deemed immediately implementable shall be executed in full by the interim government and the relevant authorities without delay, prior to the next national elections.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh presidium member Ashraf Ali Akon termed the draft ‘incomplete.’

‘The historical context of the July uprising has only been partially reflected. Moreover, the draft does not mention that our party has strongly demanded a proportional representation system in the lower house,’ he said, adding that a meeting of the party’s highest body would decide its next course of action.

Gano Adhikar Parishad general secretary Rashed Khan strongly opposed the prologue. He complained that the interim government had skipped the ‘Quota Reform Movement of 2018’, which had inspired youths to stand against discrimination and the fascist Awami League regime in the charter.

‘We will express our concerns in the feedback. Our party will take it seriously if our concerns are not addressed,’ he warned.

BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, Jamaat assistant general secretary Hamidur Rahman Khan Azad, AB Party president Mojibur Rahman Monju, and Khelafat Maslish secretary general Ahmad Abdul Kader said that their parties would review the draft and give feedback to the commission by August 20.

According to the draft covenant, the signatories will pledge to incorporate all the charter provisions in the constitution and prioritise the document over the existing law of the land.

The charter shall be deemed constitutionally and legally binding and hence its validity, necessity, or authority shall not be questioned in any court. The covenant also says that only the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court is assigned the authority to interpret its clauses.

Terming the provision against questioning the charter in any court as an ‘indemnity’, Communist Party of Bangladesh president Shah Alam said that such indemnity would damage the democratic essence of the constitution.

Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-Jasod presidium member Mushtuq Husain said that no charter can be implemented by deviating from the democratic norms and principles in practice.

Ganosamhati Andolan executive coordinator Abu Hassan Rubel, however, said, ‘When a charter is prepared in the spirit of the post-uprising masses to change the existing laws and rules, it must be prioritised over the existing laws. Otherwise, the charter has no value or significance.’

He, however, added that the implementation of reforms related to the constitution must be mandated by voters, either through the election of a constitutional reform council or the parliament. The political parties would decide on the process of implementation.

RWPB general secretary Saiful Huq said that matters unrelated to the constitution, on which we have reached consensus, can be implemented immediately.

‘But those related to the constitution must wait for implementation by the next parliament. It will depend on political decisions whether a sovereign parliament legalises this covenant of the charter or not,’ Saiful said.

In the set of 84 ‘agreed’ reform issues, section seven says that the majority of parties have agreed on the inclusion of equality, human dignity, social justice, democracy, and religious freedom, and harmony as the state’s fundamental principles.

Although the CPB, Socialist Party of Bangladesh, SPB (Marxist), Gano Forum, and Bangladesh Jasod have demanded that the consensus commission must not keep the section in the charter, the draft mentions the parties as ‘dissenters’.

The CPB’s Shah Alam, the Bangladesh-Jasod’s Mushtuq Husain, and the Gano Forum’s general secretary Mizanur Rahman, strongly opposed the ‘misleading’ mention.

Mizanur said, ‘The Gano Forum has also dissented from Bangladeshi nationalism [Section 2 of the charter]. But the draft does not mention our party as a dissenter,’ he added.​

 

[Saif]

No polls before July charter legitimacy: Jamaat, allies

Leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and seven other Islamist parties at a rally on Tuesday said that no general elections would be held before the July National Charter 2025 was given legal legitimacy.

www.newagebd.net

No polls before July charter legitimacy: Jamaat, allies
Staff Correspondent 11 November, 2025, 23:39

Leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and seven other Islamist parties at a rally on Tuesday said that no general elections would be held before the July National Charter 2025 was given legal legitimacy.

They urged the interim government to take steps for giving a legal basis to the July Charter before the 13th parliamentary elections planned for the first half of February 2026.

The July Charter, an agreement reached through almost a year of negotiations involving various political parties, was signed on October 17. But the political parties remain divided over its implementation method.

Jamaat and the seven other Islamist party organised the rally at the Purana Paltan crossing in the capital Dhaka to press their eight-point demand, including holding a referendum before the national election and holding the next general elections under the proportional representation system.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh amir Syed Muhammad Reazul Karim chaired the rally. Demanding a legal basis for the July Charter, Jamaat amir Shafiqur Rahman at the rally said that those who would not believe in the charter, the 2026 election was not for them.

‘No general elections will be held before giving a legal basis to the July Charter,’ he added.

Mentioning that holding a referendum on the charter before the next general elections was ‘the people’s demand’, he said that why there was a delay in holding the referendum.

‘We want that the next general elections be held before Ramadan, but before that a referendum must be held for giving a legal basis to the July Charter,’ Shafiqur said.

He also said, ‘We will continue our movements until our five-point demand is met.’

Islami Andolan Bangladesh amir Syed Muhammad Reazul Karim said, ‘We will continue their movements so that the fascist Awami League and their partners could not return to power again.’

He called on the Islamic political forces to remain united to resist the fascist political forces.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis amir Mamunul Haque said that they would wage tougher movements to compel the interim government to hold a referendum on the charter before the general elections.

A makeshift podium was built at the Purana Paltan crossing for the rally in which a huge number of leaders and activists of the eight political parties took part.

The programme was scheduled to begin at 2:00pm, but activists from Dhaka and nearby districts arrived at the rally venue from the morning in processions, occupying city roads near the rally venue and chanting slogans.

Due to the blocking of some key roads, the traffic movement was disrupted in the areas for several hours, causing sufferings for the city dwellers.

Khelafat Majlis amir Abdul Basit Azad, Nejame Islam Party amir Sarwar Kamal Azizi, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan amir Habibullah Miajee, Bangladesh Development Party president Anwarul Haque Chand, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party vice-president Rashed Prodhan and Jamaat secretary general Mia Golam Parwar, among others, also spoke at the rally.

On November 6, Jamaat and the seven other parties submitted a five-point memorandum to chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, seeking the implementation of the July Charter and calling for a national referendum ahead of the national election.​

 

[Saif]

July Charter implementation order: How much of each party's demands accommodated

The government finally issued the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order yesterday, Thursday. Before issuing this order, there were differences of opinion among various parties—including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP)—regarding the...

en.prothomalo.com

July Charter implementation order: How much of each party's demands accommodated
Rajib AhmedDhaka
Updated: 14 Nov 2025, 19: 03

The government finally issued the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order yesterday, Thursday.

Before issuing this order, there were differences of opinion among various parties—including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP)—regarding the implementation of the charter.

The government had given the political parties seven days to resolve their differences and submit a coordinated proposal; however, it is reported that no formal discussions took place among the parties.

The question now is: to what extent did the government consider each party’s objections regarding the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order and the referendum?

First, let’s understand what the July Charter is.

In the July mass uprising, the Awami League government was overthrown on 5 August last year. After that, calls for reforms grew stronger.

An interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus formed 11 reform commissions. Among them, a National Consensus Commission was established, consisting of the heads of the Constitution, Election System, Judiciary, Anti-Corruption Commission, Police, and Public Administration Reform Commissions. Professor Yunus himself served as the chair of this commission.

The National Consensus Commission discussed 166 key proposals and implementation methods from six commissions. Recommendations from the Health Sector Reform Commission, Local Government Reform Commission, Media Reform Commission, Women’s Affairs Reform Commission, and Labour Reform Commission were not included.
However, the government has implemented some proposals from these commissions. Still, stakeholders believe the overall situation is 'not satisfactory'.

The National Consensus Commission held meetings with political party leaders regarding reform proposals in various sectors for nearly eight months.

The National Consensus Commission spent nearly 9 months discussing the recommendations of 6 reform commissions with 30 political parties and alliances.

During these discussions, consensus and decisions were reached on 84 proposals. These proposals formed the basis of the July National Charter, which was signed on 17 October (the NCP and four leftist parties did not sign). Among them, 48 proposals are related to the constitution.

The July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order has been issued to implement these constitution-related proposals, and a referendum will be held on them.

Yes–no referendum

The referendum will be held on the same day as the 13th National Parliament election. Just as voters will receive ballots to vote for candidates, they will also receive ballots for the referendum.

The referendum will have a single question, to which voters must respond with either 'yes' or 'no'. Four proposals will be listed under the question.

The question will be:

"Do you approve the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order 2025 and the following constitution-related proposals recorded in the July National Charter?"

The four proposals are:

During elections, the caretaker government, the Election Commission, and other constitutional institutions will be formed following the procedures described in the July Charter.

The next parliament will be bicameral. A 100-member upper house will be formed proportionally based on the votes received by the parties in the National Parliament election, and constitutional amendments will require approval by the majority of the upper house members.

The winning parties in the next parliamentary election will be required to implement the 30 proposals on various issues—such as increasing women’s representation in parliament, electing the Deputy Speaker and parliamentary committee chairs from the opposition, limiting the Prime Minister’s term, expanding the President’s powers, broadening fundamental rights, ensuring judicial independence, and local government reforms—that were agreed upon by political parties in the July Charter.

Other reforms described in the July Charter will be implemented according to the commitments of the political parties.

It is worth noting that some say certain proposals—including limiting the Prime Minister to multiple positions and the freedom to vote against one’s own party in parliament—can be implemented by BNP or other parties according to their own commitments or differing views, although these were not specifically detailed in the order.

All four of these proposals include all 48 constitution-related recommendations of the National Consensus Commission.

Why four proposals under a single referendum question? The answer is that this was done mainly to accommodate the objections of the political parties.

To what extent were the objections of different parties considered?

a) BNP opposed the issuance of the July Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order. They wanted it to be implemented through a proclamation, arguing that the interim government does not have the authority to issue such an order. However, Jamaat supported the constitutional order.

b) BNP also wanted the referendum and the 13th National Parliament election to be held on the same day. The government had already announced that voting would take place in the first half of next February, so BNP’s demand has been met. However, Jamaat’s demand in this regard was not fulfilled, as they wanted the referendum to be held before the national election.

c) BNP objected to the proportional representation (PR) system for forming the upper house of parliament. They wanted the 100 seats in the upper house to be allocated proportionally based on the seats won in the lower house. For example, if a party wins 150 seats in the lower house, they would receive 50 seats in the upper house. BNP’s differing view on the upper house was not accommodated. In this case, the demands of Jamaat and NCP were met. That is, in the parliamentary election, parties will receive seats in the upper house proportionally to the votes they win. For instance, if a party gets 10 per cent of the vote, it will get 10 seats in the upper house, and the party will decide the names of the members.

d) For constitutional amendments, a majority in the upper house will be required—that is, at least 51 votes out of 100. BNP opposed taking the matter of constitutional amendments to the upper house. Their differing view was not considered.

e) BNP wanted a 'note of dissent' system, allowing them to implement proposals with differing views according to their political commitments if they win the election. BNP’s demand in this regard has been partially met. However, their differing views on major issues were not accommodated, such as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Public Service Commission (PSC), appointment of the Comptroller and Auditor General, and judicial appointments.

For example, BNP wanted appointments to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to be made by the government through a law. This was not included in the July Charter Implementation Order. If 'Yes' wins in the referendum, the chairman and commissioners of the ACC will be appointed through a Selection and Review Committee. This committee will be led by the senior-most judge of the Appellate Division (excluding the Chief Justice). The committee will include the senior-most judge of the High Court Division, the Comptroller and Auditor General, the Chairman of the Public Service Commission, one representative each from the leader of the house and the leader of the opposition in parliament, and a citizen representative nominated by the Chief Justice. The committee will propose names, and the President will make the appointments.

f) BNP has no objection to the caretaker government itself. However, they had a differing view on how the caretaker government would be formed, which was not accommodated.

g) NCP wanted a legal basis for the July Charter, which has largely been addressed. However, an alternative recommendation by the Consensus Commission suggested that if parliamentary reform proposals are not approved within a specified period, they would automatically become part of the constitution after 270 days. BNP objected to this, and the government did not adopt the automatic amendment recommendation.

h) NCP wanted the Chief Advisor to issue the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order, because there was objection to President Md Sahabuddin, although under the Constitution of Bangladesh the President can issue such an order. Ultimately, the order was issued in the name of the President.

i) NCP supported the formation of a People’s Assembly or giving a dual role to the next parliament. Jamaat also supported giving the dual role. The July Charter Implementation Order grants the next parliament this authority, meaning the upcoming parliament will function as a constitutional reform council. BNP, however, opposed giving the parliament the powers of a constitutional reform council.

Has the crisis ended?

The question is whether the conflicts among political parties have been resolved and whether everyone is now ready to move forward with the elections.

First, BNP has thanked the government after the issuance of the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order. However, there is one notable point.

The party has called on the government and the Election Commission to hold a referendum to obtain the people’s approval for the July National Charter, which was signed on 17 October based on consensus, and to organise the National Parliament elections soon.

On Friday, at an event, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said that BNP is committed to implementing the July National Charter as it was signed. He added that any proposals imposed forcibly beyond this will be judged by the people.

At a press conference today, Jamaat’s nayeb-e-ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, said that they want the referendum to be held first. He also remarked, “I am surprised to see that many changes have been made in favour of a single party.”

The NCP has not yet issued an official response.​

 

[Saif]

July charter, referendum: BNP softens stance, Jamaat still rigid

Although the BNP is not fully satisfied with the government’s decisions on key issues regarding the July charter’s implementation, it has chosen a softer stance over the matter, ruling out any stern move for now.

www.thedailystar.net

July charter, referendum: BNP softens stance, Jamaat still rigid
NCP concerned over implementation uncertainty

Although the BNP is not fully satisfied with the government's decisions on key issues regarding the July charter's implementation, it has chosen a softer stance over the matter, ruling out any stern move for now.

On the other hand, the Jamaat-e-Islami has stuck to its demand for holding a referendum on constitutional reforms in the charter before the national election, warning of indefinite sit-ins if its call was ignored.

Meanwhile, the National Citizen Party expressed frustration over the announcement, saying that there is still uncertainty over full implementation of the July charter.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus unveiled the decisions in a televised address on Thursday after the parties missed a one week deadline set by the government to reach a consensus on the unresolved July charter issues.

As per the announcement, the national election and the July charter referendum will be held on the same day, a decision that matched the BNP's demand.

The government also decided that an upper house of parliament will be formed through a proportional representation system on the basis of total votes received by each party. The PR system was among Jamaat's core demands.

At a Standing Committee meeting on Thursday night, BNP leaders reviewed Yunus' address and voiced dissatisfaction over several elements.

Yet, as part of a strategy to keep the election at the heart of its politics, the party decided against any aggressive response for now. Acting chairman Tarique Rahman virtually presided over the meeting at the party chairperson's Gulshan office.

"The party does not want to start a new dispute over the charter at this stage. The government has placed proper importance on holding the election, a key demand the party has long been pushing for," a Standing Committee member told this newspaper after the meeting.

"We will now closely watch how the government proceeds in the coming days," the member added.

Speaking at an event in Shahbagh yesterday, Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said the BNP remains committed to upholding the July National Charter exactly as signed.

Welcoming the referendum timing, he added, "If any coercive proposals beyond the signed July charter remains, the people will give their decision on these matters through the referendum on the election day."

DEBATE AT STANDING COMMITTEE

During the three-hour meeting, Salahuddin detailed discrepancies between the signed charter and the July National Charter (Constitution Reform) Implementation Order, 2025 issued by President Mohammed Shahabuddin soon after Yunus' address.

Under the order, the next parliament would also function as a Constitutional Reform Council to implement the charter's reforms.

Salahuddin objected broadly to four points: the referendum question, formation of the Constitutional Reform Council, use of the PR system for the 100-member upper house, and the president's authority to issue such an order.

Several members argued that taking a confrontational stance now would only spark complications and distract from election preparations. One member said Tarique was dissatisfied with Yunus' speech but agreed to adopt a softer line as the majority wanted to keep the polls at the centre of its politics.

"There are some people in the Yunus team who want to make the situation complicated. Ahead of the polls, many complications may arise. That's why we closely watch every action of the government," another member said.

The leaders accepted the same-day referendum but said the process is flawed, with a complicated question containing four sections. They said citizens cannot vote on multiple issues in a single referendum question.

They also questioned the legitimacy and authority of a Constitutional Reform Council whose members would not be directly elected -- an issue that had surfaced during the National Consensus Commission talks.

Salahuddin further criticised the government for choosing the PR system for the upper house despite divergent views in the consensus process.

Some members said the president has the authority to issue ordinances, but the head of the state does not have the constitutional power to issue an order of this kind.

JAMAAT REMAINS RIGID

The eight-party alliance, including Jamaat and Islami Andolan Bangladesh, maintained its uncompromising demand for holding the referendum before the national polls.

The government had "bowed to the demand of BNP" by planning both votes on the same day, Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher said while delivering the alliance's official reaction.

He said they were "surprised" that instead of adopting the consensus commission's recommendations, the chief adviser introduced "many changes by compromising with a particular party," implying the BNP.

"As a result, the people and the nation are disappointed," Taher said at a briefing in Moghbazar, flanked by alliance leaders.

Taher argued that the nation had wanted the referendum on a separate day and claimed that if it were held earlier, "80 percent people would go against the thinking and ideology of a particular party."

He said the BNP had refused to accept any referendum held first, and the government had "bowed to their demand."

Accusing the interim government of losing neutrality, he said it was "aligned with a particular party" and attempting to hold an election "in any manner necessary to bring that party to power".

Without naming anyone, he alleged that three advisers were working for that party and demanded their removal.

Taher warned that the alliance would take a "final decision" at its meeting on Sunday, if its demands were not met, though he expressed gratitude to Yunus for giving constitutional legitimacy to the July charter through an order.

Leaders of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Khefat Majlish, Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party, JAGPA, and Bangladesh Development Party were present.

NCP SEES VAGUENESS, RISKS

The NCP said several key aspects, such as the implementation order, referendum question, fate of dissent notes on crucial reform proposals and the Constitution Reform Council's authority, are still unclear.

"What will happen if the council cannot complete its job within the 180-day timeframe?" NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen asked while giving the party's official response to the chief adviser's address at a press conference yesterday.

One of the alternative proposals recommended by the consensus commission had stated that the proposed reforms would be automatically incorporated into the constitution in case of the Constitution Reform Council's failure to complete the process within a 270-day timeframe. The final order shortened the deadline, but dropped the proposal on automatic inclusion.

"The language used in the order is subject to interpretation …. As a result, instead of ensuring transparency, the order has created further questions," Akhter said.

He urged the government to promptly provide a clear explanation of the order and remove all ambiguities so that the ongoing crisis surrounding the July charter can be effectively resolved.

He demanded that the referendum result must be made binding so that no one can deviate from the charter.

"All in all, the ambiguities and interpretive flexibility left within the July charter implementation order make it vulnerable to exploitation by those who will come to power. We find it deeply concerning," he said.

Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary said the party would sign the charter only after receiving clarity on the implementation order, referendum framework, and reform roadmap.

"We wanted to dismantle the authoritarian framework of 1972, but through this order, we are once again walking the path of the 1972 Constitution," he said.​