Bangladesh heads to the polls on Thursday for its first parliamentary elections since the 2024 uprising that ended Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule. Alongside the general election, voters will also decide on a landmark constitutional referendum aimed at reshaping the country’s democratic framework.
Khawaja Asif Slams Achakzai’s Remarks on Army as ‘Irresponsible’
The interim government, led by 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, has introduced a sweeping reform package known as the “July Charter,” named after the uprising that topppled the former government. Yunus has described the charter as a safeguard against the return of autocratic, one-party rule.
The proposed reforms include introducing term limits for prime ministers, establishing a bicameral parliament with a new 100-seat upper house allocated proportionally based on national vote share, and strengthening the powers of the president. The charter also calls for enhanced judicial independence, greater representation of women in parliament, and allocating key parliamentary roles—such as deputy speaker and committee chairs—to opposition members.
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) has described the vote as a “critical juncture” for Bangladesh’s democratic and constitutional order.
Yunus, who is expected to step down after the elections, has strongly backed the reforms, urging voters to support the charter. “If you cast the ‘yes’ vote, the door to building the new Bangladesh will open,” he said.
The former ruling Awami League has been barred from contesting the election. Major political forces, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Jamaat-e-Islami-led coalition—along with the student-led National Citizen Party (NCP)—have expressed support for the reforms. However, several parties have submitted objections to specific provisions.
While analysts predict the referendum is likely to pass given backing from key parties, public understanding of the proposals remains limited. A survey by Dhaka-based IID policy research centre found that only 37 percent of respondents were aware of the charter’s contents, with awareness dropping to eight percent among those without formal education.
The referendum requires a simple majority to pass and, if approved, will be binding on the winning parties. However, the reforms would still need ratification by the newly elected parliament.
