BNP agrees to proposal for election, referendum on same day, says Fakhrul

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party has agreed to the National Consensus Commission’s proposal to hold the general election and a referendum on the same day, according to secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

He made the announcement around 3pm on Tuesday while addressing an extended meeting at Thakurgaon Shilpakala Academy.

Fakhrul said the party is open to going to the people through a referendum on the issues where consensus has been reached among political groups.

The July Charter will be made public on Friday through the reform commission, he said, and all political parties are expected to sign it.

Issues that remain unresolved will be decided in parliament after the election, he added.

Calling the national election scheduled for February 2026 crucial for Bangladesh’s political and economic course, Fakhrul said the coming period demands extreme caution.

The BNP leader warned that the country must avoid mistakes or political missteps that could bring back what he described as “fascist oppression”.