Interim government chief Muhammad Yunus on Monday called on citizens to support his administration’s proposed reform package in an upcoming national referendum, arguing that the changes are essential to curb excessive executive authority. A key feature of the proposal is a strict cap on the tenure of the prime minister, which would prevent any individual from holding the office for more than 10 years.
This reform push follows a long period in which Sheikh Hasina dominated Bangladeshi politics. Over the past decade, her repeated terms in office made her one of the country’s longest-serving prime ministers and, critics argue, led to an unprecedented concentration of power within the executive branch, particularly in the prime minister’s office.
The referendum is scheduled to take place alongside Bangladesh’s general elections on February 12, ensuring that the proposed constitutional and structural changes become a central issue in a vote that is expected to define the country’s political direction following Hasina’s ouster. Supporters of the reforms say the vote represents a turning point for democratic governance, while critics warn of legal and procedural concerns.
In a nationally televised address, Yunus urged voters to cast a decisive “yes” ballot, portraying the referendum as a historic opportunity to dismantle entrenched power structures. He framed the reform agenda as a pathway to rebuilding the state in line with public aspirations, stating that approving the package would pave the way for what he described as a “new Bangladesh.” According to Yunus, public endorsement of the reforms would help the country break free from longstanding patterns of discrimination, exploitation, and oppression.
At the heart of the proposal is the introduction of a firm 10-year limit on how long any one individual can serve as prime minister. Yunus stressed that this provision is designed to prevent the accumulation of unchecked power and ensure regular leadership renewal. If adopted, the rule would permanently bar any future leader from extending their tenure beyond a decade, regardless of electoral success.
The reform package also proposes broader institutional changes aimed at rebalancing power across the state. Yunus said the judiciary would be guaranteed independence, while a bicameral parliamentary system would be introduced. This would involve the creation of an upper house intended to act as a counterweight to the lower chamber and reduce the dominance of the executive. He also noted that the president’s authority would be curtailed, including restrictions on the ability to pardon convicted criminals at personal discretion.
These proposals are laid out in an extensive 84-point document titled the July National Charter–2025, which was formally unveiled on October 17 following months of consultations with political parties and the National Consensus Commission, a body chaired by Yunus himself. At the time of its launch, Yunus declared that Bangladesh had “embraced civilisation,” describing the moment as the symbolic birth of a transformed political order.
As the referendum approaches, the interim administration has begun actively mobilising support for a “yes” vote, a move that has drawn criticism from opposition figures who question whether a caretaker government should openly campaign. Industries adviser Adilur Rahman Khan dismissed such objections, characterising critics as “fugitive forces,” a phrase widely interpreted as referring to loyalists of Sheikh Hasina and her now-disbanded Awami League.
Several major political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party led by Tarique Rahman, and Jamaat-e-Islami, signed the charter but attached dissenting notes to specific provisions. Despite formally endorsing the document, neither party has launched an energetic campaign in favour of the referendum.
In contrast, the student-led National Citizen Party, which was formed last year with Yunus’ backing and is linked to activists from the July Uprising that toppled the previous regime on August 5, 2024, did not sign the charter. Nevertheless, it has emerged as one of the most vocal supporters of the referendum, actively campaigning for a “yes” vote across the country.
The referendum itself has sparked legal debate, with constitutional experts questioning its validity. Senior jurist Swadhin Malik has argued that Bangladesh’s existing constitution does not provide for a nationwide referendum of this nature. He has warned that many of the decisions outlined in the July Charter, including those published in official gazettes, may be incompatible with the current constitutional framework. Malik also contended that the president lacks the legal authority to endorse such measures while the existing constitution remains in force, casting uncertainty over the process even as the vote draws closer.
