Separate ballots, but single box for JS polls, referendum

Voters will receive two separate ballot papers—one for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election and another for the referendum—but will cast both into a single ballot box, according to the Election Commission (EC).

Alongside the white ballot for JS polls, voters will be given a pink ballot paper for the referendum. After voting, both ballots must be dropped into the same transparent ballot box installed at the vote centres by the EC. Voting on both ballots will be done using a seal.

For postal ballots, however, voters will cast their referendum vote by marking a tick (✓) or cross (✗) in the designated box next to "Yes" or "No".

The parliamentary election and the referendum will be held on the same day—12 February 2026. Voting will take place uninterruptedly from 7:30am to 4:30pm.

Referendum ballots to be pink coloured

After announcing the schedules for the parliamentary election and the referendum, the EC issued a detailed circular outlining the referendum question, voting timetable, appointment of returning and polling officers, procedures of voting, result preparation and publication and result consolidation, and issuance of gazette notification.

The circular, issued by the EC Secretariat, has been sent to the Cabinet Division and other relevant ministries and departments.

Referendum questions

"Do you agree with the "July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order, 2025" and the following reform proposals contained in the July National Charter?"

(a) The election-time caretaker government, Election Commission and other constitutional institutions will be constituted as per the procedures described in the July Charter.

(b) The next parliament will be bicameral, with an Upper House of 100 members formed proportionally to votes received by political parties in the national election; any constitutional amendment will require majority approval of the Upper House.

(c) Parties winning the next election will be obliged to implement 30 agreed proposals of the July National Charter, including increasing women's representation in parliament, electing the deputy speaker and parliamentary committee chairmen from the opposition, limiting the prime minister's term, and enhancing presidential powers.

(d) Other reforms described in the July Charter will be implemented as pledged by the political parties.

Same officials in charge

Although the referendum ordinance has been issued, no separate rules have been formulated. As a result, all activities—from voting to publication of results—will be conducted in line with the referendum-related circular.

The returning officers, assistant returning officers and polling officials appointed for the parliamentary election will also perform duties for the referendum. The total number of voters is approximately 12.75 crore.

Voters will mark one of two boxes, "Yes" or "No". Those who agree will vote in the "Yes" box; those who do not will vote in the "No" box.

How the votes will be counted?

After voting ends, the presiding officer will open the ballot boxes at the polling station or postal vote counting centre in the presence of candidate agents. The ballots for election and the referendum will then be separated.

Election ballots will be counted candidate-wise, while referendum ballots will be counted separately as "Yes" and "No" votes.