Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus announced in his address to the nation that the referendum and the national election will take place on the same day.
He said the election will be held in the first half of February. His announcement removed the uncertainty surrounding the issue.
A political crisis had emerged over holding a referendum to approve the July Charter. The BNP and most other political parties proposed holding the referendum on the same day as the national election. They argued that public interest in a referendum is low.
If held first, only a small number of voters would take part, giving allies of the fallen autocrat an opportunity to question its credibility.
Any delay of the national election due to the referendum could have deepened the ongoing crisis. Holding the referendum separately would also have been costly.
Another dispute arose over introducing the proportional representation (PR) system in the upper house of Parliament. The BNP and its allies opposed the system for a clear reason: it could lead to a fragmented society and unstable governments, as seen in Nepal and several other countries. PR was first introduced in Asia in Israel.
During the reform dialogue, most parties recorded a “note of dissent” on the proposal. Several other constitutional reform proposals also faced dissent.
The BNP decided to resist the PR proposal politically if it was imposed. Jamaat-e-Islami and the NCP, however, remained firm in their demand for PR in the upper house and insisted on holding the referendum before the national election. They exerted pressure on the government in various ways.
The July Charter is a broad and complex issue. Even many politically aware citizens do not fully understand it.
A pre-election referendum would likely have resulted in a voter turnout similar to the country’s previous three referendums—almost none.
This would have further eroded confidence in the electoral system, already weakened over the past decade and a half. It could also have reduced turnout in the national election.
The chief adviser’s clear announcement removed these fears.
Holding the referendum and national election on the same day is expected to bring satisfactory voter turnout.
Candidates will mobilise their supporters to ensure they come to polling stations, which will also increase participation in the referendum.
Voters will be able to choose their parliamentary candidate and express their opinion on the referendum at the same time. The country will also avoid wasting a huge amount of money.
Since the victory of the July mass uprising, every political party has been preparing for the election. Three days before the golden jubilee of the 7 November Sipahi-Janata Revolution, the BNP announced its candidates in 232 of the 300 constituencies.
On average, five to six nomination seekers vied for each BNP seat. All were competent and dedicated to the party. The leadership selected candidates as needed for the moment.
Although each constituency had several contenders, all were loyal to the vision of BNP founder and late President Ziaur Rahman, and respected BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s leadership. BNP leaders and activists consider the party their identity.
From this perspective, after the nomination announcement, everyone’s duty is to unite and ensure victory for the sheaf of paddy symbol. Acting chairman Tarique Rahman called on all leaders, activists and supporters to unite behind the candidates.
He said all candidates are followers of Zia, soldiers of Khaleda Zia, BNP activists, and supporters of the sheaf of paddy. He reminded them that only by ensuring victory for the sheaf of paddy can they consider themselves victorious. When the sheaf of paddy wins, the country and democracy win.
The government has decided to hold the national election in the first half of February. The Election Commission is expected to announce the schedule in due time.
The BNP, with pro-democracy citizens, has been preparing for this much-anticipated election. It has declared 232 possible nominees out of 300 constituencies. Although the BNP has multiple capable candidates in almost every seat, it has also decided to share some constituencies with allied parties who fought alongside it against the autocratic regime.
BNP grassroots workers must work collectively to ensure victory for both BNP candidates and alliance-backed candidates. This election is critical for restoring democracy and cannot be underestimated. Democracy contributes to building a tolerant and inclusive society.
The conflict between democracy and extremism is a timeless truth. The democratic, pro-liberation forces must secure victory in the coming election. Defeated forces of 1971 and 2024 may attempt to unite against nationalist forces.
The July uprising toppled 15 years of authoritarian rule, but an elected government has not yet been formed, and democracy has not yet returned.
Allies of the fallen autocrat are trying to undermine the victory of the uprising. Those who consider Bangladesh their only home must stay alert. Everyone knows the fallen autocrat established fascism to block a BNP victory. Over the past 15 years, the electoral system was destroyed.
The worrying part is that misinformation campaigns are still being used to prevent a BNP victory, even in a post-fascist Bangladesh. Believers in Bangladeshi nationalism must raise awareness among the public and build unity against the conspirators.
During the autocratic rule, the public had no interest in national elections. Millions of young first-time voters are now eager to cast their vote. People from all walks of life are waiting for the election day.
Historically, Bangladeshis are election-loving. But conspirators may still try to delay the election to protect their vested interests.
The demand for a pre-election referendum was an attempt to delay the election. The chief adviser’s announcement halted those schemes for now.
During the disagreements among July uprising forces, allies of the fallen autocrat attempted to create panic through arson and violence. Resolving the referendum and election questions will help thwart fascist conspiracies.
Writer: BNP joint secretary general, former MP and former DUCSU GS
