NATIONAL
The referendum was not constitutional & held under an invalid order, says Salahuddin Ahmed
|NUTSHELL TODAY DESK
BIONIC READING
In a Nutshell:
- Salahuddin said the referendum was imposed without political consensus.
- Voters gave one yes or no answer to four reform questions.
- He said the ballot should have asked only whether voters supported the July National Charter 2025.
- Government plans to introduce an enforced disappearance prevention law in the next parliamentary session.
Why it Matters
Election Commission gazette showed 68.59 percent of valid votes backed Yes. Implementation order required elected lawmakers to complete constitutional changes within 180 days. This dispute raises questions about whether constitutional reforms can be implemented through an order rather than a clear parliamentary process and political agreement.
What We Think
BNP has avoided a full commitment to the July Charter. It signed the document, challenged parts of the implementation mechanism, and now says it will act only through its own proposal. That leaves uncertainty over whether Bangladesh will get broad constitutional reform or only changes selected by the ruling party.
