Bangladesh’s interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus on Thursday announced that Dhaka will hold a national referendum on implementing the landmark “July Charter” for state reform on the same day as its parliamentary elections in February 2026. The charter, drafted following last year’s deadly student-led uprising, aims to reshape the country’s political institutions and enshrine constitutional recognition of the 2024 movement that led to the ouster of long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.Addressing the nation, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Yunus said, “The parliamentary elections will be held in a festive atmosphere in the first half of February. The referendum on the July Charter will be held on the same day as the parliamentary elections.”He emphasized that the elections would be free, fair and inclusive, urging political parties to ensure youth and women are represented in their manifestos and governance plans, news agency Reuters reported. What is July Charter? The July Charter is a 26-point document outlining proposed reforms in governance, constitutional and political issues.It proposes significant reforms. These include stronger checks and balances between the executive, judicial and legislative branches, a two-term limit for prime ministers, expanded presidential powers and recognition of Bangladesh as a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation.The declaration sharply criticized the 1972 Constitution after its independence war against Pakistan in 1971, calling for reforms aligned with the will of the people.“Whereas, the post-independence Awami League government failed to materialise the people’s aspirations because of the weaknesses in the procedures of drafting and in the structure of the constitution, along with its inappropriate application,” the charter read.It also condemned Sheikh Hasina’s administration, accusing it of turning Bangladesh into a fascist, mafia and failed state through alleged authoritarian rule and human rights violations.”Whereas, during the rule of Sheikh Hasina, under her very leadership, an extreme force that was anti-people, autocratic and against human rights turned Bangladesh into a fascist, mafia and failed state and thereby tarnished Bangladesh’s international image,” it added. The document calls for the 2024 uprising to be given official recognition and proposes that the July Charter be included in a reformed constitution. While most political parties endorsed the charter in October, the National Citizens Party (NCP) and four left-leaning groups boycotted it, citing the lack of a legal framework or binding guarantees for implementation. Supporters view the charter as foundational for institutional reform, while critics warn its impact could be largely symbolic without parliamentary consensus.The announcement comes amid heightened political tensions across Bangladesh. Last week, the country witnessed widespread protests, disruptions in schools and transportation and incidents of violence following Hasina’s trial on charges related to the 2024 uprising, which left hundreds dead. The former prime minister, who fled to India in August last year after a mass uprising, has called the tribunal a “kangaroo court” and denounced the interim government’s actions.In her interview, Hasina accused Yunus of backing Islamists and violating human and political rights. The Yunus-led administration has banned all activities of Hasina’s party. She vowed to fight back, news agency AP reported. Security remains tight nationwide. Soldiers and law enforcement agencies were deployed to guard the special tribunal in Dhaka.The tribunal is handling Hasina’s case along with that of former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. Al-Mamun, who pleaded guilty and became a state witness, was present at the tribunal under tight security.Yunus, who took over as interim leader in August 2024 following Hasina’s ouster. He had described the political system he inherited as “completely broken down” and has championed the July Charter as essential to preventing a return to authoritarian rule.The charter, officially unveiled earlier this year, also criticizes the 1972 Constitution and Hasina’s administration for failing to uphold human rights and democratic governance.The interim government has banned activities of Hasina’s Awami League, effectively barring the party from future elections unless the ban is lifted.
