Referendum cannot be held before national election: Khasru
He said that the referendum and election should be held on the same day with two separate ballots and there is no scope to discuss this again.
There is no scope for holding a referendum before the national parliamentary election, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said today (28 October).
The National Consensus Commission today proposed that the referendum be held either before the upcoming national parliamentary election or on the same day as that election.
Speaking to reporters at the BNP chairperson's office in Gulshan, Khasru said the proposal may come from the commission, but BNP does not agree.
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He added that the referendum and election should be held on the same day with two separate ballots and there is no scope to discuss this again.
He also said the issue of a caretaker government has been debated for over a decade. "Without it, elections in Bangladesh are not acceptable."
Khasru said BNP's discussion with British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke today focused on the upcoming election, the Election Commission's preparedness, BNP's preparation, and the need for a free and credible election.
The meeting was attended by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir, Organising Secretary Shama Obaid, and Chairperson's Foreign Policy Advisory Committee member Tabith Awal.
When asked about BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman returning to the country, Khasru said it was lightly discussed.
"His return will be announced by him at the right time," he added.
