National ballots to be black and white, referendum to add colour in election

The Referendum Ordinance allows the referendum to be conducted through postal ballots

The government has approved an ordinance allowing the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum to be held on the same day, with parliamentary ballots to be printed in black and white and referendum ballots in colour.

The ordinance, approved at a special meeting of the Advisory Council on Tuesday at the Chief Advisor’s Office, also permits the referendum to be conducted through postal ballots.

Law Advisor Asif Nazrul said the Referendum Ordinance has been formulated to outline how the referendum will be conducted, and received final approval at Tuesday’s council meeting.

He added that the gazette notification will be issued within a day or two.

The referendum will contain a single question: "Do you consent to the July National Charter Constitutional Reform Implementation Order 2025 and the following proposals over constitutional reform documented in the Charter?"

The ballot will have two boxes, “Yes” for those in favour and “No” for those opposed.