Bangladesh to Hold Referendum on Democratic Reforms Alongside 2026 Parliamentary Election

Bangladesh will hold a referendum on a landmark democratic reform charter on the same day as its parliamentary election in February 2026, interim leader Mohammed Yunus announced on Thursday. The 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate said the referendum is a crucial step to prevent a return to authoritarian rule and to stabilize the nation’s political system, which he described as “completely broken down” when he assumed leadership following last year’s uprising.

“We have decided … that the referendum will be held on the same day as the next parliamentary elections,” Yunus said in a national address. “This will not hinder the goal of reform in any way. The elections will be more festive and affordable.” Bangladesh, a country of roughly 170 million people, has seen rising tensions as political parties prepare for the polls.

The reform charter, known as the “July Charter” after the uprising that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is at the center of heated debates. The proposed reforms would strengthen checks and balances between the executive, judicial, and legislative branches, set a two-term limit for prime ministers, and expand presidential powers. The charter also seeks to formally recognize Bangladesh as a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation.

Voters will be asked to respond to a single referendum question divided into four parts. Yunus said that if the majority approves the reforms, a Constitutional Reform Council will be established to amend the constitution in parliament. “We, the living, should not tarnish the glory of the unity that the countrymen built by standing tall in the face of death against fascism,” he said.

The parliamentary election will be Bangladesh’s first since the mass uprising that removed Hasina from power. Yunus has repeatedly indicated that the polls will take place in early February, with the Election Commission expected to announce the exact date in December.

Tensions are also mounting in Hasina’s ongoing legal troubles. The former prime minister, 78, faces a trial for crimes against humanity related to a deadly crackdown on student-led protests. Hasina has refused to return from India to attend the trial, calling it a “jurisprudential joke.” The chief prosecutor, Tajul Islam, said judges will deliver a verdict on November 17, and expressed hope that justice would be served.

The Awami League, Hasina’s party, which has been outlawed, called for a nationwide “lockdown” on Thursday. Security forces have been deployed heavily around the court, with armored vehicles manning checkpoints.

The upcoming referendum and parliamentary election mark a critical moment for Bangladesh as it seeks to implement constitutional reforms and navigate the country’s tense political landscape. Analysts say the outcome could shape the nation’s governance for years to come, determining the balance of power between executive, legislative, and judicial branches.