Bangladesh to Hold Parliamentary Elections and National Referendum on Same Day in Early February
In a landmark announcement, Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, declared that the country will conduct its next national parliamentary election and a simultaneous constitutional referendum in the first half of February 2025.
In a nationally televised address, Yunus explained that the government’s decision to hold both votes together was made “after considering all aspects”, and stressed that combining the election and referendum would “in no way hinder the reform objectives” ahead.
The referendum, set to accompany the parliamentary vote, will pose a single question to citizens:
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?”
The four key areas of reform included in the referendum are as follows:
Institutional and Electoral Reforms — restructuring the caretaker government system, the Election Commission, and other constitutional bodies according to the July Charter.
Bicameral Parliament — introducing a 100-member upper house whose composition will reflect political parties’ shares in the national election; constitutional amendments thereafter would require approval from both houses.
Binding Reform Commitments — making the 30 reform proposals adopted under the July Charter binding on the next government, covering issues such as increased women’s representation, term limits for the Prime Minister, stronger presidential powers, judicial independence, local governance strengthening, and opposition leadership in parliamentary committees.
Implementation of Broader Reforms — ensuring that all remaining reforms under the July Charter are implemented according to political-party commitments.
Yunus clarified that if the “Yes” vote wins, a Constitution Reform Council will be formed, composed of the newly elected MPs, to complete the constitutional amendments within 180 working days of its first meeting.
Within 30 working days of completing amendments, the upper house (based on parties’ vote shares) will be constituted and will function alongside the lower house’s term.
Concluding his broadcast, Yunus reiterated that this effort marks a “collective step toward institutional renewal, national unity, and a democratic future” for Bangladesh — anchoring the reforms of the July Charter firmly in the Constitution and the national process.
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