Referendum will determine Bangladesh’s path for the next 30 years: Nahid Islam
He also said the aspirations that emerged from the July mass uprising have yet to be fulfilled.
National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has said the country's direction for the next 20 to 30 years and the nature of fundamental constitutional reforms will be decided through the July Charter referendum.
The referendum, to be held alongside the parliamentary election on 12 February, will reflect the people's wishes on how the state should be run and will determine the roadmap for structural reforms to the constitution, Nahid said while campaigning in the capital's Badda area today (3 February).
"For the first time in Bangladesh's history, a referendum will be held alongside a national parliamentary election," he said, adding that successful implementation of reforms will pave the way for establishing an upper house in the parliament, ensuring a balance of power, and forming an independent and effective Election Commission.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Speaking about corruption, Nahid, a former interim government adviser, referred to his own experience, saying he has seen the government from the inside.
"I know why corruption exists in Bangladesh and where the system is flawed," he said.
He also said the aspirations that emerged from the July mass uprising have yet to be fulfilled.
"If given a long-term mandate, we will realise those aspirations and fulfil every promise made to the people, word for word," he added.
