Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has called for a national referendum before the next general election to provide a legal foundation for the implementation of the National July Charter.
On Sunday, Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General, Hamidur Rahman Azad, stated that the referendum should take place before the election to ensure that the July Charter is backed by the people’s mandate.
Azad emphasised that all major political parties, including the BNP, support the idea of a referendum, though Jamaat advocates for holding it before the election.
He suggested that the referendum could be held in November or December without disrupting the election schedule, despite the fact that the concept of a referendum is still unfamiliar to many in the country.
Azad argued that a pre-election referendum would simplify the political process and help eliminate uncertainty. “If the referendum is completed, there will be no problem in holding the election in February,” he added.
He further explained that a referendum would provide clear public legitimacy to the July Charter, preventing any future challenges, even from Parliament.
While acknowledging the potential for disagreement, Azad stated that Jamaat would accept the outcome of the referendum, regardless of the result. He also emphasised that the Election Commission should be responsible for organising the referendum, once the government issues instructions to do so.
Azad concluded by reaffirming Jamaat’s long-standing position on political reform, highlighting that the party has always supported the idea of reforms and the legal legitimization of the July Charter through a referendum.
