BNP will take an overall position in favour of ‘Yes’ in the upcoming referendum, which will be held alongside the 13th national parliamentary election on February 12.

“When our parliamentary election candidates visited Dhaka, we told them that BNP will take a position in favour of ‘Yes’ in the referendum during the election campaign,” party Election Steering Committee spokesperson Mahdi Amin said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press briefing at BNP’s election office in Gulshan area, he also said the party has already informed all its members that, overall, BNP will take a position in favour of ‘Yes’ in the referendum.

During the July Charter formulation process at the National Consensus Commission, Mahdi said BNP had a clear position and also recorded some notes of dissent, which the party still holds.

He said the party has long worked to ensure accountability and transparency in governance and has pursued fundamental reforms through its 31-point reform outline. “For these reasons, we will stand for ‘Yes’ in the referendum,” Mahdi, who is also an adviser to the BNP Chairman, said.

He explained that BNP believes notes of dissent and different opinions are natural in a democracy and will be discussed in Parliament.

Mahdi also said BNP sees the referendum as a way to strengthen democratic processes and give priority to the people’s opinion.

He expressed the hope that all political parties will follow democratic norms and fully comply with the election code of conduct so that the people’s expectations and aspirations are reflected in both the parliamentary election and the referendum.

As per the schedule announced by the Election Commission, the referendum will be held alongside the 13th national parliamentary election on February 12.