July Charter and referendum: 7-day deadline for consensus ends – what's next

The interim government is preparing to make a unilateral decision regarding the implementation of the July National Charter 2025 and the timing of the proposed referendum, after political parties failed to reach a consensus within the seven-day deadline set earlier.

According to a senior government adviser who spoke to TBS on condition of anonymity, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus will chair a meeting of the advisory council on Thursday to discuss the matter. The final decision is expected to be made at that meeting, with an official announcement likely to follow next week after a review of the political situation.

"The government will declare the timing of the referendum based on the opinions of political parties," the adviser said. "Discussions have already begun within the government, as well as with various political groups, to reach a solution. The announcement may come either next week or alongside the election schedule."

Government to break the deadlock

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat today (10 November), Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said, "We had stated earlier that if political parties fail to solve themselves, the government will step in. Since seven days have passed, the government will now sit to decide. After internal discussions, it will take whatever decision it deems best for the country."

When asked whether the government was imposing its decision, she replied, "No one ever said the government cannot make a decision. If we had heard that the government had no authority, then such a question could arise. The government has a responsibility to resolve this stalemate."

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told TBS, "We still hope the parties will reach a compromise soon. If not, the advisory council will decide the matter in its meeting. Whatever decision is made will be in the best interest of the nation."

Disagreement

The National Consensus Commission has recommended that the government issue an order to immediately hold a referendum on the July Charter, which seeks public opinion on 48 constitutional matters, including the formation of an upper house of parliament through proportional representation.

The commission proposed that the referendum be held either on the same day as the national election or shortly before it. However, parties remain divided over the timing.

The BNP has called for holding the referendum on election day but opposes the proposal to form an upper house. Jamaat-e-Islami, on the other hand, insists that the referendum be held before the election and has already organised three rallies in support of that demand. Another rally by Jamaat and eight allied parties is scheduled for tomorrow in Dhaka.

Meanwhile, the NCP, though not a signatory to the July Charter, has said it has no objection to the referendum being held either before or on the day of the election.

Despite separate meetings with the BNP, the Jamaat, the NCP and other parties, Chief Adviser Yunus failed to broker an agreement. Consequently, on 3 November, the government gave political parties a seven-day period to find common ground – but no progress was made.

Preference for same-day vote

Sources within the government say the advisory council, the Election Commission, and the administration prefer to hold the referendum and the national election on the same day.

Holding a separate referendum beforehand could create administrative complications and trigger fresh political tensions, they warn. Social media campaigns under "Yes or No" slogans have already generated heated debate, with most online reactions reportedly opposing the referendum.

Officials fear that a poorly attended or rejected referendum would be seen as a government failure, which is why the administration is reluctant to hold it separately. The government is reportedly trying to persuade the BNP to accept the proposal for an upper house, while urging Jamaat and its allies to agree to a same-day referendum.

Earlier, on 31 October, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said disagreements among political parties over the referendum had reached "a critical point," and that the chief adviser would soon make a final decision.

Farhad Mazhar questions legality of Consensus Commission

Poet and political commentator Farhad Mazhar has questioned the legality of the Consensus Commission, saying it has "no authority" to recommend or implement any national charter.

"Only a constituent assembly or a people's referendum can give constitutional validity to such a charter," Mazhar said while speaking at a discussion at the National Press Club today.

He described the current administration as "an advisory government rather than an interim one."