Terming nearly a year of discussions by the National Consensus Commission as “meaningless” and a mockery of the people, the BNP said the commission’s recommendations were one-sided and forcibly imposed on the nation.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir asserted that the government lacks the authority to issue the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order-2025.

“Under Article 152 of the Constitution, an ‘order’ carries the status of law, and issuing it is the president’s prerogative,” Fakhrul said.

Reading from a written statement, he added, “The government plans to issue an order titled ‘July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order 2025’ to implement the constitutional amendments in the July National Charter 2025.”

Fakhrul pointed out that the signed July National Charter does not reflect the opinions, differing views, or dissent of the political parties involved.

“This makes it clear that nearly a year of discussions with the Reform Commission and National Consensus Commission were pointless — a waste of time and money, a mockery, and a deception of the nation,” he said.

He emphasised that it is natural for political parties to hold differing opinions, which is why dialogue was essential. “Yet the Consensus Commission ignored the democratic right of parties to express dissent,” he added.

Fakhrul said the BNP insists the referendum should be held on the same day as the national election. “The chief adviser has announced that the election will be held in the first half of February 2026. Holding the proposed referendum before the election is therefore impossible,” he explained.

Citing time constraints, high costs, and the extensive manpower required, including law enforcement, Fakhrul described a pre-election referendum as unnecessary, illogical, and impractical.

He also raised concerns about the proposed formation of a Constitutional Reform Council alongside the new parliament. “Members would take oaths both as MPs and as members of the Constitutional Reform Council. While the Election Commission is authorised to conduct parliamentary and presidential elections, it is not empowered to hold elections for this council,” he said.

Fakhrul stressed that forming such a council was not part of the agenda discussed with political parties and that no consensus was sought. “If a council is to be formed, the decision must rest with the next national parliament,” he said.

He further criticised the implementation order, noting that even if a referendum yields a positive result, the Constitutional Reform Bill would be considered by the council to assist in carrying out its duties. “Taking such a pre-emptive step before the parliamentary election and referendum is entirely unacceptable,” Fakhrul emphasised.

Responding to a journalist, he added, “We have made our position clear to the nation. If necessary, we will take it up with the chief adviser. There is no confusion about the election. We expect it to be held in February as announced, and the government and Election Commission are preparing accordingly. We will not undertake any separate programme on this matter.”

BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan echoed Fakhrul, saying, “These are only recommendations. There is no reason for the election to be disrupted, and claims of manipulation or crisis are baseless.”