Elections and referendum on same day? Consensus panel to ask government to decide

The National Consensus Commission will propose that the government decide whether to hold the national election and the referendum at the same time, panel member Badiul Alam Majumdar has said.

He made the remarks on Saturday while speaking at a “Shadow Parliament” organised by Debate for Democracy at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC).

"The commission will propose to the interim government to decide whether the upcoming national election and the referendum should be held on the same day, based on the recommendations of experts and the opinions of political parties.”

The discussions between the consensus panel and political parties ended on Oct 8, with participants expressing support for issuing an ordinance to hold a referendum on the implementation of the July Charter.

According to the commission, political parties are expected to sign the July Charter, a declaration pledging reform of state structures and governance, on Oct 15.

Badiul said the country must put an end to the "criminalisation of politics and elections".

“It is essential to ensure that changes in power do not simply lead to changes in corruption. Over the past 15 years, we have seen how power acted like a magic wand. Wealth among ruling MPs, mayors and chairmen has skyrocketed. This must stop.

“Even though Sheikh Hasina has left power, the authoritarian legal and institutional framework that enabled her rule still exists. It is these structures that made her an autocrat.”

Speaking about ongoing reform efforts under the interim government, he said: “The current reform process aims to change those very structures. Legal, institutional and structural reforms are essential. Without good governance and accountability, merely holding elections cannot replace authoritarian rule.”