Bangladesh’s interim chief Muhammad Yunus shows the ‘July Nationwide Constitution’ exterior Parliament in October 2025.
| Photograph Credit score: AP
Bangladesh’s landmark referendum on constitutional reforms delivered a decisive mandate in favour of the July Nationwide Constitution 2025, setting the stage for essentially the most far-reaching reformation of the nation’s governance framework since independence. In accordance with official outcomes printed by the Election Fee, greater than 48 million voters backed the Constitution within the February 12 referendum, with 60.26% of members voting “Sure”. The vote coincided with the nation’s thirteenth parliamentary elections.
The endorsement locations quick political and authorized obligations on the brand new authorities, being led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Get together (BNP), which secured a two-thirds majority in Parliament. Whereas the BNP signed the Constitution final 12 months, it did so with a word of dissent on a number of key provisions elevating questions on how easily the reform course of will unfold.
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The July Constitution is a 28-page reform blueprint born from the July 2024 rebellion which toppled the 15-year rule of Sheikh Hasina. It consolidates over 80 reform proposals geared toward stopping what its architects describe because the “recurrence of authoritarian and fascist rule”.
In February 2025, the interim authorities of Muhammad Yunus established six reform commissions to look at the structure, judiciary, electoral system, police, public administration, and anti-corruption mechanisms. Their suggestions had been distilled into the July Constitution by way of a Nationwide Consensus Fee course of. In October 2025, 33 political events, together with the BNP, signed the Constitution. The doc was subsequently given authorized impact by way of a Presidential order in November 2025.
Proposed adjustments
The referendum introduced voters with 4 consolidated reform areas. First, the institution of a non-partisan caretaker authorities to manage future elections, together with the reconstitution of the Election Fee and different key constitutional our bodies primarily based on the Constitution’s tips. Second, the creation of a bicameral Parliament. A brand new 100-member higher home will probably be fashioned primarily based on the proportional vote share acquired by political events within the nationwide election. Any future constitutional amendments would require majority approval from this chamber.
Third, the implementation of 30 particular reform proposals beforehand agreed upon by main political factions. These embody capping the tenure of the Prime Minister, increasing presidential powers, securing judicial independence, strengthening native authorities, and broadening basic citizen rights. Fourth, provisions for inclusive parliamentary illustration. The mandate ensures elevated illustration for ladies and dictates that the Deputy Speaker and Parliamentary committee chairs have to be chosen from the Opposition benches. Further reforms embedded within the Constitution embody protections for basic rights reminiscent of uninterrupted Web entry, enhanced checks on government authority, and measures to strengthen democratic accountability.
The referendum’s passage imposes particular obligations on the brand new Parliament. Underneath the Structure Reform Order 2025, the newly elected legislature will operate as a Constitutional Reform Council with a set tenure of 180 working days to implement the Constitution’s provisions.
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Elected members will probably be required to take two separate oaths, one as members of Parliament and one other as members of the Constitutional Reform Council.
The BNP has given “notes of dissent” to a number of provisions, together with the expanded powers of the President, the design and legislative function of the proposed higher home, and so forth.
Disagreements
Nonetheless, shortly after the elections, the composition of the higher home has emerged as a selected level of rivalry. Whereas the referendum mandates a chamber primarily based on proportional illustration utilizing nationwide vote share, the BNP’s manifesto proposes allocating higher home seats primarily based on parliamentary energy.
The Nationwide Citizen Get together (NCP), based by scholar leaders who led the rebellion, has stated the legitimacy of the referendum was stronger than that of the parliamentary election itself. “The referendum carries higher legitimacy than the nationwide election, all Members of Parliament should enter the Home with the duty of implementing the July Constitution,” stated NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan.
Political analysts say the approaching months will check whether or not the BNP’s dedication to the constitution withstands the sensible challenges of implementation. The disagreements over particular provisions would require negotiation between the federal government and Opposition events represented in Parliament.
Ali Riaz, an adviser to Muhammad Yunus, stated, the referendum has delivered a direct mandate from the individuals for substantial constitutional reform. “It have to be seen as a public verdict and as an expression of the individuals’s will for reform.”
Printed – February 17, 2026 10:42 pm IST