Referendum to be held on national election day: Chief Adviser

The Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus has announced that the referendum will be held on national election day.

He made the announcement in an address to the nation on Thursday, November 13 afternoon.

He assured that this process will in no way hinder the ongoing reform efforts.

The Chief Adviser said, “After considering all aspects, we have decided that the referendum will be held on the day of the upcoming national election. That means, like the national election, the referendum will also take place in the first half of February on the same day.”

Stating that the objective of reform will not be hampered in any way, he said, “The election will be more festive and cost-effective. Necessary laws will be enacted in due time to facilitate the holding of the referendum.”

He informed that the question to be presented on the referendum ballot has already been determined in line with the July Charter.

He said, “I am now reading the question out to you. The question will be as follows—

Do you approve the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order, 2025 and the following constitutional reform proposals incorporated in the July National Charter?

a) During the election period, caretaker government, election commission and other constitutional bodies will be formed following the process outlined in the July Charter.

b) The next Parliament will be bicameral. A 100-member upper house will be formed proportionately to the votes received by political parties in the national election, and any constitutional amendment will require approval from the majority members of the upper house.

c) The winning parties in the upcoming election will be bound to implement the 30 reform proposals on which political parties have reached consensus in the July National Charter, including increasing women’s representation in Parliament, electing the Deputy Speaker and Parliamentary Committee Chairpersons from the opposition, limiting the Prime Minister’s tenure, enhancing the President’s powers, expanding fundamental rights, ensuring judicial independence, and strengthening local government.

d) Other reforms outlined in the July Charter will be implemented according to the commitments of the political parties.

On referendum day, voters will express their opinion with a single ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ vote on these four matters combined. If a majority of votes indicate ‘Yes’, a Constitutional Reform Council will be formed comprising elected representatives from the upcoming national election.

These representatives will also serve as Members of Parliament, Professor Muhammad Yunus added.

The Chief Adviser further said that the Council will complete the constitutional reform within 180 working days from the date of its first session. After the reform is completed, within 30 working days, an upper house will be formed based on the proportion of votes received in the national election. Its tenure will last until the final working day of the lower house.