Key reform pillars:

• Executive limits: A proposed 10-year (two-term) cap on the Prime Minister’s tenure.
• Legislative restructuring: Introduction of a bicameral Parliament with a 100-member Upper House.
• Judicial and electoral independence: Restoring the neutral Caretaker Government system and empowering the Election Commission.
• Fundamental rights: Strengthening protections for citizens and granting legal recognition to the “July Fighters” of the 2024 uprising.

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The referendum format: “Yes” or “No” to all

Voters will be issued two ballots: A white ballot for their local MP and a pink ballot for the referendum. The referendum presents a single, bundled question covering four major reform areas.

The referendum question: “Do you approve of the July National Charter (Constitution Amendment) Implementation Order, 2025, and the following proposals for constitutional reform as recorded in the July National Charter?”

If a voter chooses “Yes”, they consent to the entire package. Deputy Press Secretary Azad Majumdar confirmed to Dhaka Tribune that there is no option to selectively approve parts of the charter.

Critical analysis: Legitimacy vs. complexity

While the government cites “maximum voter participation” and “cost-efficiency” as reasons for the concurrent vote, the strategy has faced significant scrutiny.

Comparative Table: Current constitution vs. proposed July National Charter

What happens next?

• If “Yes” passes: The newly elected Parliament will act as a Constituent Assembly for its first 180 days to formalise the Charter into constitutional law.
• If “No” wins: The incoming government will not be legally or morally bound by the Charter, potentially leading to a return to the previous constitutional framework.

As of early February, opinion polls by Innovision Consulting suggest roughly 59.5% support for the “Yes” vote, though a high number of “Undecided” voters (22%) suggests that the final outcome remains sensitive to last-minute campaigning.