Dhaka: The Election Commission (EC) has decided to conduct nationwide campaigns using banners and leaflets to create widespread public awareness about the referendum slated for February 12, 2026. Director (Public Relations) and Information Officer of EC Secretariat Md. Ruhul Amin Mollik confirmed the development to BSS today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the EC's banners and leaflets for the referendum campaign will carry the following question: "Do you agree to the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order, 2025, and the following proposals on constitutional reforms recorded in the July National Charter?" The options available to voters will be "Yes" or "No," with the referendum touching on significant constitutional reforms.
The proposed reforms include the formation of a caretaker government, the Election Commission, and other constitutional bodies during the election period as described in the July Charter. The next parliament is proposed to be bicameral, consisting of an upper house of 100 members elected proportionally based on national votes, with any constitutional amendment requiring majority approval in this upper house.
Political parties that win the upcoming parliamentary elections will be bound to implement the consensus reached in the July National Charter on 30 outlined issues. These issues include increasing women's representation in parliament, appointing the Deputy Speaker and parliamentary committee chairpersons from the opposition, ensuring fundamental rights, guaranteeing the independence of the judiciary, strengthening local government, setting term limits for the Prime Minister, and defining the powers of the President. Other reforms described in the July National Charter will also be implemented following political parties' commitments.
To cast a vote, voters will need to mark either "Yes" or "No." According to a circular of the EC on the referendum, the voting for the Jatiya Sangsad Election and the Referendum will occur simultaneously and uninterruptedly from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm on February 12, 2026.
The transparent ballot boxes approved, designated, and supplied by the commission for the parliamentary election will also be used for the referendum. After voting, voters will place both the parliamentary and referendum ballots into the same ballot box. The parliamentary election and the referendum will be conducted using ballots of different colours, with the referendum ballot (Form-1) being pink.