CA's speech created confusion; referendum must be held before polls: Jamaat's Taher

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus's national address over the timing of the national election and the referendum has "created confusion," Jamaat-e-Islami's Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher said tonight (13 November).

"A referendum must be held before the national election so that people clearly understand the basis of the proposed reforms," Taher said at a press briefing following a joint meeting of Jamaat with seven allied parties at the party's central office in the capital. 

He said the chief adviser's announcement that both votes would be held simultaneously has deepened uncertainty about the reform process.

"Analysing the chief adviser's speech, it appears that the nation's expectations for relief and transformation have not been fully met," he said, adding that key issues regarding pre-election reforms remain unclear.

National polls, referendum on same day: CA Yunus

While welcoming the issuance of the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order 2025, Taher said, "Issuing the order is a positive step, but a referendum must be held before the election to ensure its credibility and effectiveness."

He also said the BNP had played an active role in the reform process but later took a "mixed position," adding to public confusion.

People's expectations not met by decision to hold polls, referendum same day: Porwar

Taher announced that the eight-party alliance pressing for five-point demands will hold protest marches in district towns across the country on Friday.

Earlier in the day, Chief Adviser (CA) Muhammad Yunus announced that the 13th national election and a referendum on proposals made in the July National Charter will be held simultaneously on the same day in the first half of February next year.

In his address to the nation, Yunus said the government is taking all-out preparations to hold the election in a festive atmosphere, alongside the referendum.