People validated constitutional reform order through referendum; that is final: Badiul Alam

Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of Sushasoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), has said that the people validated the Constitutional Reform Order through a referendum and that "is the final word."

He said in a democracy, the people are the ultimate source of all power and a decision adopted through a referendum carries the highest legitimacy.

He made the remarks today (25 February) at a citizen dialogue titled "Implementing the Referendum Verdict," held at the National Press Club in the capital.

Speakers at the dialogue said the 13th National Election and the referendum were not merely processes for forming a parliament, but expressions of post-uprising reform aspirations in 2024.

They said implementing the public mandate received through the referendum is both a constitutional and moral responsibility of the current government.

Election and governance expert Badiul Alam Majumdar said, "The government formed 11 reform commissions to fulfil the aspirations of the mass uprising. The first six commissions' 166 proposals were sent to political parties. After a series of discussions, 84 proposals were accepted. Although some proposals included "notes of dissent," he described them as minority views."

According to him, proposals agreed upon by 30 political parties and supported by major parties were considered consensus decisions.

He said of the 36 key proposals, the police commission proposal did not progress due to opposition from vested interests. Of 48 constitutional proposals, they were divided into four categories, and nearly 27 political parties signed commitments to fully implement the "July Charter."

Regarding the legitimacy of the referendum, Badiul Alam said, "The people have validated the Constitutional Reform Order through the referendum, and that is the final word."

He noted that although the constitution does not explicitly provide for referendums, in a democracy the people are the source of all power. 

"Article 142 of the constitution outlines the amendment procedure, and parliament cannot alter the basic structure. Under Article 7, the people are the owners of state power, therefore a decision adopted through referendum carries the highest legitimacy," he added.

At the dialogue, Saqeeb Anwar, youth general secretary of the Nagorik Oikya, said, "The election and referendum were held based on the July Charter Implementation Order issued on 13 November 2025.

He questioned why objections were not raised before the schedule was announced, even though Articles 93 and 148 of the constitution regarding the president's ordinance power and oath are now being interpreted.

He warned that constitutional amendments based solely on a two-thirds majority could face judicial challenges in the future. He also referred to the judicial outcomes of the Fifth and Fifteenth Amendments.

Didar Bhuiyan, joint general secretary of the Rastra Sanskar Andolan, said, "Despite longstanding demands for state and constitutional reform, visible progress had not been made in police, Election Commission and administrative reforms."

He alleged that opportunities for interpretation-based application of the constitution remain concentrated in the hands of those in power. He emphasised the need for "political reform" to ensure accountability of political parties.

Syed Hasibuddin Hossain, a leader of the Rasthra Sangskar Anodolan, said, "The election should not be viewed merely as a parliamentary vote, but as the outcome of post-uprising reform aspirations."

According to him, securing a two-thirds majority does not only grant a mandate to govern, but also creates an obligation to implement reforms approved through referendum.