Bangladesh reform agenda wins voters’ backing, but rifts remain among parties

Bangladesh’s landmark referendum on constitutional reforms delivered a decisive mandate in favour of the July National Charter 2025, setting the stage for the most far-reaching reformation of the country’s governance framework since independence. According to official results published by the Election Commission, more than 48 million voters backed the Charter in the February 12 referendum, with 60.26% of participants voting “Yes”. The vote coincided with the country’s 13th parliamentary elections.

The endorsement places immediate political and legal obligations on the new government, being led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which secured a two-thirds majority in Parliament. While the BNP signed the Charter last year, it did so with a note of dissent on several key provisions raising questions about how smoothly the reform process will unfold.

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The July Charter is a 28-page reform blueprint born from the July 2024 uprising which toppled the 15-year rule of Sheikh Hasina. It consolidates over 80 reform proposals aimed at preventing what its architects describe as the “recurrence of authoritarian and fascist rule”.

In February 2025, the interim government of Muhammad Yunus established six reform commissions to examine the constitution, judiciary, electoral system, police, public administration, and anti-corruption mechanisms. Their recommendations were distilled into the July Charter through a National Consensus Commission process. In October 2025, 33 political parties, including the BNP, signed the Charter. The document was subsequently given legal effect through a Presidential order in November 2025.

Proposed changes

The referendum presented voters with four consolidated reform areas. First, the establishment of a non-partisan caretaker government to administer future elections, along with the reconstitution of the Election Commission and other key constitutional bodies based on the Charter’s guidelines. Second, the creation of a bicameral Parliament. A new 100-member upper house will be formed based on the proportional vote share received by political parties in the national election. Any future constitutional amendments will require majority approval from this chamber.

Third, the implementation of 30 specific reform proposals previously agreed upon by major political factions. These include capping the tenure of the Prime Minister, expanding presidential powers, securing judicial independence, strengthening local government, and broadening fundamental citizen rights. Fourth, provisions for inclusive parliamentary representation. The mandate guarantees increased representation for women and dictates that the Deputy Speaker and Parliamentary committee chairs must be selected from the Opposition benches. Additional reforms embedded in the Charter include protections for fundamental rights such as uninterrupted Internet access, enhanced checks on executive authority, and measures to strengthen democratic accountability.

The referendum’s passage imposes specific obligations on the new Parliament. Under the Constitution Reform Order 2025, the newly elected legislature will function as a Constitutional Reform Council with a fixed tenure of 180 working days to implement the Charter’s provisions.

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Elected members will be required to take two separate oaths, one as members of Parliament and another as members of the Constitutional Reform Council.

The BNP has given “notes of dissent” to several provisions, including the expanded powers of the President, the design and legislative role of the proposed upper house, etc.

Disagreements

However, shortly after the elections, the composition of the upper house has emerged as a particular point of contention. While the referendum mandates a chamber based on proportional representation using national vote share, the BNP’s manifesto proposes allocating upper house seats based on parliamentary strength.

The National Citizen Party (NCP), founded by student leaders who led the uprising, has said the legitimacy of the referendum was stronger than that of the parliamentary election itself. “The referendum carries greater legitimacy than the national election, all Members of Parliament must enter the House with the responsibility of implementing the July Charter,” said NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan.

Political analysts say the coming months will test whether the BNP’s commitment to the charter withstands the practical challenges of implementation. The disagreements over specific provisions will require negotiation between the government and Opposition parties represented in Parliament.

Ali Riaz, an adviser to Muhammad Yunus, said, the referendum has delivered a direct mandate from the people for substantial constitutional reform. “It must be viewed as a public verdict and as an expression of the people’s will for reform.”