Jamaat, 7 parties urge CEC to hold referendum by Nov

Published : Thursday, 30 October, 2025 at 5:42 PM Count : 9

Eight political parties, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, today urged the Election Commission (EC) to hold a referendum by November to give legal basis to the July Charter.

They also demanded that preferred election symbols be retained in case of alliance-based polls, and that a level playing field be ensured in the upcoming national election.

The parties placed a memorandum to Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin in this regard.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the CEC this noon, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Abdul Halim said these matters were discussed in detail during the dialogue.

Halim said, "After signing the July National Charter, the government, through the National Consensus Commission, proposed a referendum to give the charter its legal basis. On behalf of eight parties, we have demanded that the chief election commissioner hold the referendum within November to ensure a sustainable legal foundation for the Charter. The national election may then be held in February."

The Jamaat leader added, "The spirit of the July mass uprising and the blood of students and people who sacrificed their lives must be honoured. Therefore, the national election and the referendum cannot be held on the same day. Although some parties proposed so, our eight parties have clearly said that the referendum recognising the July Charter must be completed by November."

He further said, "Another important issue is the amended Representation of the People Order (RPO). The version approved by the Council of Advisers must be retained exactly as it is -- without any modification or amendment."

The Jamaat leader alleged that in many areas, female candidates are facing obstacles in their election activities. "Such incidents have been reported in districts like Noakhali and Naogaon," he said.

Asked whether they gave any ultimatum to the CEC, Halim replied, "We did not issue any ultimatum today. However, our eight-party meeting has decided that after submitting this memorandum, we will wait for a few days. On November 3, the top leaders of the alliance will sit together, and based on the situation, announce the next course of action, In sha Allah."

Those present at the meeting included Islami Andolon Bangladesh Secretary General Principal Hafiz Maulana Yunus Ahmad and Presidium Member Prof Ashraf Ali Akon, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Secretary General Maulana Jalal Uddin, Khelafat Majlish Secretary General Ahmad Abdul Kader, Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islami Party Secretary General Musa Bin Nezar, Khelafat Andolon Naib-e-Ameer Maulana Mujibur Rahman Hamidi, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA) Vice President and Spokesperson Engineer Rashed Pradhan, Bangladesh Development Party Secretary General Nizamul Haque Naeem, as well as Jamaat-e-Islami Central Executive Member Mobarak Hossain and Dhaka City North Secretary Rezaul Karim.

Earlier in the morning, the eight parties held a short rally in front of Nirbanchan Bhaban in Agargaon and near the Metro Rail station where they set up a temporary stage on a truck.

FP/MI