Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Thursday said the Election Commission will be able to give its opinion on holding a referendum on the July National Charter 2025 only after receiving the matters formally from the government.
"If we know the matters formally, do exercises, and all sit down in the commission and discuss, we can give our opinions. It would not be appropriate to give opinions now," he said replying to a question sent by reporters, seeking the Commission’s opinion over the announcement of Chief Adviser to hold the referendum and the national election simultaneously in a single day.
A written question was sent to him when he was presiding over the second session of the EC’s dialogue with registered political parties at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital.
The CEC said he couldn’t even listen to the speech of the Chief Adviser as he was in the dialogue. “I actually did not listen to the speech. I do not want to give my opinion right now,” he said.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Thursday (Nov 13) said the national election and the referendum will be held simultaneously in the first half of February next year.
“The referendum will take place in the first half of February simultaneously with the general election. This will not in any way hinder the goals of reform; rather, it will make the election more festive and cost-effective,” he said in an address to the nation.
“Appropriate law will be formulated in due time to facilitate the holding of the referendum. We are taking all-out preparations to hold the election in a festive atmosphere,” the Chief Adviser added.
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According to the EC officials, holding a referendum and a parliamentary election simultaneously could bring both advantages and challenges, but it would significantly reduce costs.
They said if a referendum is held in separate day, it would require Tk 800 crore -Tk10,000 crore to conduct the plebiscite. But if the referendum and the national election are held simultaneously in a single day, it would need Tk 300 crore–Tk 400 crore for its arrangement.
The Election Commission has so far estimated that around Tk 2,800 crore will be required to conduct the 13th parliamentary election, which is likely to be held in early February 2026.