As per constitution, without referendum no national elections until 2029: Azad

Stating that the next national parliamentary elections cannot be held without a referendum, Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad said that if no referendum is held, as per the constitution the national parliamentary elections will have to be held in 2029.

He made this comment at a rally of eight parties at Paltan intersection in the capital on Tuesday (November 11).

Hamidur Rahman Azad said: "Some people say that there is no provision for referendum in the constitution. I want to tell them that Sheikh Hasina had amended the constitution during the Awami League government and abolished the referendum clause. Now, those who say there is no referendum in the constitution, don't they speak in Hasina's tone?"

The Jamaat Assistant Secretary General said that as per the constitution, elections must be held in every five years. If elections are held in 2024, where is it written that elections will be held in 2026? According to the constitution, elections will have to be held in 2029."

He said: "A fair election is not possible without the implementation of the July Charter. To strengthen the society on a new basis and start the journey towards a new Bangladesh, a referendum must be held as part of the reforms before the national elections. Without a referendum before the elections, the July Charter will not be implemented, and fair elections are not possible."

Aiming at the BNP, Hamidur Rahman Azad said: "You want to establish fascism again, the people of Bangladesh will not allow this conspiracy to take place on the soil of Bengal. Let us tell the government to issue the July Charter order."