President signs July Charter implementation order, gazette published

President Mohammed Shahabuddin today (13 November) signed the July National Charter (Reform of Constitution) Implementation Order 2025, clearing the way to hold the 13th national election and a referendum on the July Charter proposal on the same day.

A gazette in this regard, detailing the order's implementation, was issued this afternoon.

His signing came around the same time the Advisory Council held a meeting to finalise the decision on the implementation method of the charter.

According to the implementation order, the referendum will be held at the same time as the upcoming national polls.

National polls, referendum on same day: CA Yunus

Four points will be presented in the referendum, and on referendum day, voters will express their opinion by casting a single vote, "Yes" or "No" on all four points combined.

Question to be presented on the referendum ballot

(1) The following question shall be presented in the referendum:

"Do you approve the implementation of the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Ordinance, 2025, and the following reform proposals recorded in the July National Charter?" (Yes/No)

(a) The caretaker government, Election Commission, and other constitutional bodies shall be formed in accordance with the procedures described in the July Charter.

(b) The next National Parliament shall be bicameral. An upper house with 100 members shall be formed in proportion to the votes obtained by the political parties in the national election, and any constitutional amendment shall require the approval of a majority of the upper house members.

(c) The political parties have reached a consensus on 30 reform proposals included in the July Charter—covering areas such as increasing women's representation in parliament, electing the deputy speaker and parliamentary committee chairs from the opposition, limiting the prime minister's tenure, enhancing the president's powers, expanding fundamental rights, ensuring judicial independence, and strengthening local government. The victorious parties in the upcoming election will be obliged to implement these agreed reforms.

d) Other reforms described in the July Charter will be implemented in line with the commitments made by political parties.

The referendum shall be conducted by ballot, and each voter shall cast their vote secretly on the ballot paper as determined by the Election Commission, reads the implementation order.

Constitution Reform Council's structure

On the day, the newly elected members take oath as lawmakers, they will also take oath as council members in the same ceremony. The person administering the parliamentary oath will also administer the council's oath.

In the first session, the members will elect a chairperson and a deputy chairperson. Until the election of office bearers, a senior member—chosen by consensus—will preside over the session. In the absence of both the chairperson and deputy chairperson, any council member may preside as per procedural rules.

The first session of the council will be convened within 30 days of the official announcement of parliamentary election results, similar to the convening of the first parliamentary session. A minimum of 60 members will be required to conduct council proceedings.

Any decision by the council will be determined by a majority vote. In case of a tie, the chairperson will cast the deciding vote.

According to the gazette, the council will enjoy the same legal status, privileges, and immunity as members of parliament. The council will ensure inclusion of the July National Charter into the Constitution as part of its implementation mandate.

Upper house formation

The order also mandates the establishment of an upper house within one month after the constitutional reforms are completed.

The new chamber will be formed based on proportional representation (PR) according to the vote share received in the lower house election.

The tenure of the upper house will extend from the date of its oath-taking until the dissolution of the lower house. No separate candidate list will be required for the upper house at the time of national elections.

If any procedural difficulties arise in forming the upper house, the government may issue directives, and the council will be empowered to enact necessary regulations.

The gazette further states that any reform passed by the council will be considered final and will not require any additional approval or endorsement.

The President has instructed that the amended constitution be published in the government gazette without delay.