‘July National Charter’ signing ready, political disagreement over referendum schedule

Staff Reporter | PNN:
Preparations for the signing of the much-discussed ‘July National Charter-2025’, centered on constitutional and state reforms, have been completed by the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizens Party (NCP). However, disagreements remain among the parties regarding the implementation process of the charter, particularly the timing and format of the referendum.

Under the supervision of the National Consensus Commission, the signing ceremony will take place on October 15 at the South Plaza of the National Parliament. Representatives of various political parties and alliances will attend the event, which will be led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor of the Interim Government.

The BNP has stated that the party is ready to sign the charter. Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed will sign on behalf of the party. According to the BNP, holding the referendum on the day of the national elections would be “economically viable and politically stable.”

Jamaat-e-Islami has also nominated two senior leaders to sign the charter—Naib-e Amir Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher and Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar. However, the party has said it will not decide on signing until reviewing the final copy. Jamaat has stated that they will object if the Proportional Representation (PR) system is not included in Parliament.

The youth-led National Citizens Party (NCP), formed after the July uprising, has also named its representatives—Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain—for signing. However, NCP stated that they will withhold their decision until they see the final copy of the charter and its implementation process.

In addition, parties like Nagorik Oikko, Gonosonghoti Andolon, and AB Party are also preparing to participate in the signing ceremony. According to sources, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Jonayed Saki, and Mojibur Rahman Monju will sign on behalf of their respective parties.

The BNP and its allies support holding the referendum on the national election day, while Jamaat, NCP, and several other parties prefer a referendum before the elections. They argue that an earlier referendum would increase public participation and interest, whereas holding it on the same day as the elections could “distract the public’s attention.”

Political parties have stated that the National Consensus Commission will provide them with the final draft of the charter within the next one or two days. Only then will a final decision regarding signing be announced.

All parties now share one goal—to make the July National Charter a symbol of political unity and to initiate a new chapter in state reforms. However, differences over the timing and format of the referendum continue, raising questions about the solidity of the charter’s consensus in political circles.