Yunus urges citizens to back Charter to pave the way for a ‘new Bangladesh’

He urges the citizens not only to vote themselves, but also to encourage everyone they know

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has issued a video message to the nation urging citizens to cast a “Yes” vote in the referendum scheduled to be held simultaneously alongside the general elections on Feb 12.

“The key to building a new Bangladesh is now in your hands. Stamping ‘Yes’ will open the door to a new Bangladesh,” he said in an address broadcast on Bangladesh Television at 6:30pm on Monday.

He urged the citizens not only to vote themselves, but also to encourage everyone they know to vote “Yes” and to bring them to the polling stations, calling on the people to change the country together.

The chief advisor described the July mass uprising as an extraordinary achievement in the nation's history in the address.

He said it had created an unprecedented opportunity to establish democracy, justice, and human rights within the country.

Yunus explained that several reforms have already been implemented following the Uprising.

To facilitate deeper and more far-reaching structural changes, a “July National Charter” has been drafted based on a consensus among all political parties.

He emphasised that public consent is essential to implement this Charter, which is the primary reason for the arrangement of a referendum.

"Your consent is required to implement this July Charter," the chief advisor said. "I urge you to participate in this referendum. Give your consent to the Charter."

Presenting his arguments in favour of the ‘Yes’ campaign, Yunus said: "If you stamp ‘Yes’ in the referendum, Bangladesh will be liberated from discrimination, exploitation, and oppression."

He clarified that a “Yes” outcome would mean the government and the opposition would work together to form the caretaker government and the Election Commission.

According to the Charter, the government will no longer have the authority to amend the Constitution at its whim; significant changes will instead require direct public consent.

The deputy speaker of the House and chairpersons of key parliamentary committees would be elected from the opposition benches.

According to the Charter, no individual will be able to remain prime minister for more than 10 years, Yunus said, adding that the judiciary will function independently, women’s representation in parliament will increase, and an Upper House will be formed in parliament to maintain a balance of power.

Stating that people’s fundamental rights will be more strongly protected, he said alongside Bangla as the state language, the languages of other ethnic communities will get constitutional recognition.

He said that under the proposed changes, the president will not be able to pardon convicted criminals at will, all powers will not be concentrated in the hands of the prime minister and several other important proposals are included in the Charter.