‘Incoherent’ July Charter referendum unacceptable, says Bangladesh JaSaD

The party says the four proposed referendum questions have turned the process into “a subject of ridicule”

Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JaSaD) has dismissed the planned referendum on the July National Charter, scheduled alongside the parliamentary polls, calling it “incoherent”.

The party also sees no need for a referendum before constitutional reforms are discussed in the parliament.

In a statement on Thursday, JaSaD President Sharif Nurul Ambia and General Secretary Nazmul Haque Prodhan said: “The issues on which all parties agreed in the National Consensus Commission’s discussions constitute the National Charter. If the government tries to impose anything beyond that, it will make disagreements irreconcilable.

“A referendum is unnecessary before parliamentary discussion on constitutional reform. Even if a referendum is held on proposals agreed by all parties in the Consensus Commission, it cannot be used to amend the Constitution.”

On Thursday afternoon, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus told the nation that the referendum for implementing the July Charter and the general election will be held on the same day in February.

Before his announcement, President Mohammed Shahabuddin signed the July Charter Implementation Order.

Bangladesh JaSaD said, “We believe issuing the presidential order while the Constitution remains in effect is unconstitutional. If required, a referendum may be held alongside the parliamentary polls under an appropriate ordinance.

“Renaming the parliament and giving it ‘dual authority’ is unconstitutional.”

It added, “Portraying the unrealistic demands of certain parties as the July Charter does not reflect a democratic mindset.”

The statement said the four proposed questions have turned the referendum into “a subject of ridicule”.

The party welcomed the “timely” organisation of the election but said it cannot accept a referendum filled with “confusion”, urging the Election Commission to immediately announce the poll schedule as the nation expects.