EC issues notification on election and referendum schedule

The Election Commission (EC) has formally announced its decision to hold the 13th national parliamentary election and the national referendum on the same day. A detailed notification was issued by the commission today, Saturday, outlining the referendum question and the related provisions and reforms.

The notification, signed by Md Ruhul Amin Mallik, director (public relations) and information officer at the EC Secretariat, stated that voters will be presented with a specific question regarding the July National Charter (Constitution Reform) Implementation Order 2025. Voters will choose between two options: “yes” or “no”.

The referendum question will be:
“Do you approve the July National Charter (Constitution Reform) Implementation Order 2025 and the following proposals concerning the constitutional reforms recorded in the July National Charter?” (Yes/No).

(a) The caretaker government for elections, the Election Commission and other constitutional institutions will be formed in accordance with the procedures outlined in the July Charter.

(b) The next national parliament will be bicameral, and a 100-member upper house will be formed based on the proportion of votes received by parties in the general election. Any constitutional amendment will require approval from a majority of the upper house.

(c) The 30 issues agreed in the July National Charter — including increased representation of women in parliament, election of the deputy speaker and parliamentary committee chairs from the opposition, fundamental rights, judicial independence, local government, the prime minister’s tenure and the president’s powers — must be implemented by the parties that win the next national election.

(d) Other reforms described in the July National Charter must be implemented according to the commitments made by political parties.