Prof. Ali Riaz, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser and Chief Coordinator of the Government’s Referendum Campaign, responded to the criticism of the government’s campaign in favor of a ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum. He said, ‘This government was founded on blood. Do you think it’s caretaker government? That neutrality must be maintained. It is not a caretaker government, it is an interim government which has been established not through the four walls of the constitution, but through the blood of 1400 people on the streets of Bangladesh. Remember that. Moral strength is human self-sacrifice.’
He said these things at the Dhaka divisional exchange meeting aimed at promoting the referendum and encouraging voters at Biam Foundation Auditorium in the capital on Saturday. Under the chairmanship of Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Sharaf Uddin Ahmed, Special Assistant to Chief Adviser Monir Haider also spoke.
Referring to the government’s main agenda reform, Ali Riaz said, a national agenda was created with the support of political parties. What can be more moral basis than that? If anyone thinks that this is a caretaker government whose job is to go home within 90 days after the election, then it will be a betrayal of the July fighters. The July National Charter is not an agenda to put anyone in power, nor an agenda to keep anyone out of power. A referendum is being held to get the consent of all people.
Professor Ali Riyaz said that the government has taken the advice of constitutional and legal scholars regarding the promotion of government employees in favor of ‘yes’ vote in the referendum. Among the experts were former judges, lawyers experienced in handling constitutional cases and law professors. Regarding their opinion, Ali Riaz said, they (experts) discussed and said that there is no obstacle (in the promotion of government employees) in the constitution. Representation of People Ordinance (RPO) has no bar. On the other hand, the July National Charter Implementation (Constitutional Reforms) Order-2025 issued by the government did not prevent campaigning for ‘yes’ votes. There is also no ban on referendum-related ordinances.
Ali Riaz said, the fascist regime was forced to flee. Article 7 of the country’s constitution states the intention of the people. It has been shown on the streets of Bangladesh. On the basis of which this government has been established. Nowhere in the constitution is there an interim government. This government has been saying from day one that their responsibility is first to reform, then to prosecute crimes against humanity and finally to hold elections.
Claiming that the government is not imposing reforms, the Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser said that the political parties discussed the reforms and signed the National Charter in July. The government is not implementing any reforms. But what is given in the referendum will be implemented by the elected representatives. The Constitutional Reform Council will perform its duties for 180 days after the beginning of the session of the Thirteenth National Parliament.
Prof. Ali Riaz directed the government employees to convince people to vote ‘yes’ in the referendum. He said, ‘Those who will try to defeat the referendum, must try to convince them that they are speaking on their own initiative. Those who say wrong, they do not understand. I want to believe, they don’t have bad intentions, but they are being misguided. Between 1972 and 2024, there were 48 referendums in various European countries to join the European Union, in most cases the governments of the countries campaigned for a yes vote. The government is not doing anything outside the international guidelines.
Addressing the employees, Ali Riaz said, ‘Ask the people, whether I am with him or not. This is a matter of yes and no. We tell everyone, we are. Because the key of the country is in your hands. All have been given. Everyone has the opportunity to make that decision. Your job is to reach everyone.’
Ali Riaz said that there is no minimum limit of votes to determine the result of the referendum. He said, ‘There is no minimum limit in our country’s elections.’
