Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
Bangladesh’s student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) has refused to sign the July Charter, citing a lack of legal foundation. “Signing the Charter without confirming the order will worsen the situation,” said NCP convener Nahid Islam at a press briefing in Dhaka, accusing the government of “resorting to tricks” by holding a ceremony without revealing the document’s contents.
Meanwhile, BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed said his party will sign the Charter “with a note of dissents,” marking points of disagreement. “The referendum will ask people only one question, Yes or No, and the ‘Yes’ votes will win overwhelmingly,” he said. BNP suggested holding the referendum alongside the national election, expected in early 2026.
Four leftist parties— Communist Party of Bangladesh, Basod, Bangladesh JSD, and BSD (Marxist)— also refused to sign, claiming the Charter omits the four basic principles of the Constitution and Liberation War history. Gonoforum warned it would abstain unless key independence declarations are included.
Basod leader Bazlur Rashid Firoz said, “We objected to several provisions, especially the clause barring any legal challenge. For that reason, we’ve decided not to sign.”
The July National Charter is a political declaration in Bangladesh, formulated through a consensus between major political parties and the interim government, outlining constitutional, electoral, and administrative reforms in the aftermath of the July 2024 Revolution, which led to the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina–led Awami League government.