Dhaka: The Election Commission (EC) has released a circular outlining the schedule, polling method, and voting procedure for the 13th National Election and the upcoming referendum.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the circular provides comprehensive details on the referendum question, voting hours, appointment of returning officers, assistant returning officers, polling officials, polling procedures, and the publication of results.
The government has scheduled a referendum on the July National Charter to assess public consent for constitutional reforms. This referendum, set to be held under the Referendum Ordinance, 2025, aims to verify public opinion on key issues, including the formation of a bicameral parliament and political commitments outlined in the July National Charter.
The referendum will pose several significant questions to the public. These include the formation of a caretaker government and other constitutional bodies during the election period, the establishment of a bicameral parliament with an upper house of 100 members, and the requirement for constitutional amendments to receive majority approval in the upper house. Additionally, it seeks to bind political parties to implement the consensus on 30 outlined issues in the July National Charter, such as enhancing women’s representation in Parliament and ensuring the independence of the judiciary.
The circular specifies that the voting for the Jatiya Sangsad Election and Referendum will occur simultaneously from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. Officials appointed for the national election will also oversee the referendum. Polling centres and voter lists for the national election will serve the referendum, with different coloured ballots distinguishing between the two votes. The transparent ballot boxes will accommodate both parliamentary and referendum ballots, which will be counted separately post-voting.