Govt writes to EC ordering same-day polls, referendum

The interim government has formally written to the Election Commission (EC) to hold the parliamentary polls and a referendum on the same day, reports bdnews24.com.

EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed the development on Saturday.

The decision follows political disagreements over the legal basis of the July Charter and the referendum itself, after Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus announced in a national address on Nov 13 that both the general election and the referendum would be held on the same day.

A week after the announcement, the Cabinet Division sent a letter to the EC asking it to prepare for the referendum on election day.

"On Thursday, we received a letter from a Cabinet Division. The government has informed us that conducting the referendum is the EC's responsibility," Akhtar told bdnews24.com.

The commission is now awaiting the referendum ordinance.

On Saturday, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said all election arrangements are proceeding as planned, but holding both polls on the same day will be challenging.

"The exact preparations for the referendum can only be finalised once the law is in place. After that, the EC will take full steps to organise it," he said.

Law Advisor Asif Nazrul said work on the referendum ordinance will be completed within two to three days.

"Despite the challenges, the EC will conduct the national election and referendum on the same day. We have no option but to move forward. Once the law is in place, we will finalise how the referendum will be conducted," the CEC added.

He confirmed separate ballot papers and arrangements will be made for both the election and referendum.