Reach consensus on referendum in a week, or govt will decide: Advisory Council to political parties

The interim government has urged all political parties to reach a consensus regarding the referendum on the July National Charter and give their decision within one week.

If the parties cannot give their decision by then, the government will make the final decision, said Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul at a press briefing at the Chief Adviser's Office (CAO) in Dhaka today (3 November).

He said that despite many discussions with the National Consensus Commission, political parties have not yet been able to reach a consensus on many reforms.

Also, there is still a difference of opinion between political parties regarding when the July Charter referendum will be held and what the referendum will be on, said Nazrul.

An advisory council meeting was held earlier in the morning, the adviser informed.

He continued, "At the meeting [today], we discussed these issues and expressed our concerns. We urge all political parties to reach a consensus in their own volition in the shortest possible time, if possible within one week. It will make taking decisions by the government much easier."

In response to a question from a reporter, the adviser said, "The government will reach a decision on its own if the political parties do not reach an agreement."

He also reiterated the government's commitment to hold the 13th national election in the first half of February.

An emegency advisory council meeting held on 3 November 2025. Photo: Focus Bangla

Asked whether the government will arrange any meetings for the political parties, the law adviser said, the government has already arranged many meetings and it will not arrange any further meetings.

"These parties have sat down and taken many decisions in the past, and have held movements to overthrow fascism. As such, the government expects them to sit and come to a consensus regarding all the issues themselves," he said.

This was the first press briefing held by the interim government at the CAO since it took office in August last year.

This morning, a meeting of the Advisory Council, chaired by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, took place before the briefing.

While the CA Press Wing yesterday did not disclose the specific agenda of the briefing, several sources indicated that the Advisory Council meeting will focus on the implementation process of the July Charter.

Earlier on 30 October, Asif Nazrul said the chief adviser would make the final decision soon on the July Charter referendum.

"The disagreements stem from the Consensus Commission's two proposals. The first suggests implementing the July Charter and then holding a referendum. If not implemented by the elected government within 270 days, the constitution would automatically be amended.

"We must examine whether such a process has any precedent or is even possible. The second option is to leave the responsibility to the elected parliament," he said.

Political strife has grown since the Consensus Commission's submission of recommendations on how to implement the July Charter on 28 October, as major parties remain divided on several key issues. 

The commission recommended that the next parliament also serve as a constitutional reform Council with 270 days to complete constitutional reforms in line with the July Charter proposals passed by a referendum.

The referendum can be held before or on the day of the national election, according to its proposals.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam said yesterday that holding a referendum before or on election day would be acceptable, but the order to implement the July Charter must be issued by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, not the President's Office.

On 30 October, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that the interim government has no authority to issue the July Charter implementation order, as only the president can issue an "order."

He added that the proposals and recommendations of the Consensus Commission are one-sided and are being forcibly imposed on the nation.

Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said on Saturday that the "situation" created by the BNP over the implementation of the charter is "completely undesirable."

"The people want a national election in February. Creating uncertainty [over the July Charter] right before the polls will disrupt the electoral process," Taher added.

Previously, NCP Chief Organiser Nasiruddin Patwary said on 30 October that the BNP no longer has the option to say "no," as it has already agreed in principle to the July Charter.  

Talking about a "No" campaign on social media launched by the BNP, he added, "The BNP has issued a 'No' online, but in reality, they have already said 'yes'. They have consented to the marriage and even signed the contract.

"Now they have no option for backing out. The BNP should have thought carefully before signing the July Charter."