Eight Parties Demand July Charter Referendum in November

Eight political parties, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islam, submitted memorandums to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Thursday, demanding a referendum on the July National Charter 2025 be held by November, ahead of the 13th parliamentary election scheduled for early February 2026.

The main demand is to hold a referendum on the July National Charter promptly to ensure the legitimacy of the upcoming polls. Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Abdul Halim emphasized this point, stating that those who oppose the Charter will "face the wrath of the people."

The parties insisted that the recently approved Representation of the People Order (RPO) amendment ordinance 2025 must remain unchanged. This RPO provision prevents alliance candidates from running without a symbol of their respective party.

They demanded that the Election Commission ensure a level playing field for a free, fair, and acceptable general election. Other demands included the introduction of Proportional Representation in both parliamentary chambers and visible prosecution of past atrocities and corruption.

They also called for banning the activities of the National Party, which they accuse of supporting the previous "autocracy." The eight parties including Islami Andolon Bangladesh (IAB), Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, and others have decided that their national leaders will meet on November 3 to review the situation and announce further actions, as stated by the Jamaat leader.