DHAKA: (Oct 28) The National Consensus Commission has recommended that the interim government immediately promulgate the July National Charter (Constitution Amendment) Implementation Order 2025 and hold a referendum to seek public consent on sweeping constitutional reforms before the national elections.
Vice-Chair Prof Ali Riaz announced the recommendations at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy on Monday after submitting the commission’s report to Chief Adviser and Commission Chair Prof Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna.
“We’ve recommended that the government arrange a referendum any day from the promulgation of the order until the national election day,” Prof Riaz said.
The commission proposed two alternative pathways to implement the July National Charter, which includes 48 reform recommendations related to the Constitution.
Under the first proposal, the government would issue the implementation order immediately, followed by a referendum to confirm public approval of the reforms. A Constituent Assembly, formed alongside the next (13th) parliament, would then be tasked with amending the Constitution within 270 days. The elected lawmakers would take oaths twice—first as members of the assembly, then as members of parliament.
After the assembly’s 270-day tenure, an upper house or senate would be formed within 45 days, Riaz said.
The second proposal suggests that the government first frame a bill addressing the 48 reform issues under the implementation order and then hold a referendum on that bill.
Commission members Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Justice Emdadul Haque, Safar Raj Hossain, Md Ayub Miah, and Chief Adviser’s aides Monir Haider and Shafiqul Alam attended the briefing.