BNP Urges Reforms, Plans ‘Yes’ Vote in Referendum

BNP Standing Committee member and Chairman of the party’s Election Steering Committee Nazrul Islam Khan said on Tuesday that the BNP would support constitutional and electoral reforms through a “yes” vote in any forthcoming referendum.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission office in Agargaon, Nazrul Islam Khan said the party has consistently called for reforms as a prerequisite to credible elections.
“We have always demanded reforms first. Voting ‘yes’ in a referendum is the BNP’s decision,” he said.

Nazrul emphasized that the BNP supports qualitative reforms of the state, including proposals to increase the number of reserved seats for women in the Jatiya Sangsad. Criticizing rival parties, he said many political groups talk about women’s empowerment but fail to nominate female candidates.
“While we speak about women’s representation, many parties—such as Jamaat—did not nominate a single woman. The BNP genuinely believes in women’s empowerment,” he added.

During the meeting, the BNP delegation also raised concerns over the rejection of nomination papers by returning officers. Nazrul argued that the constitution allows individuals who have renounced dual citizenship to contest elections, but claimed that nominations of BNP and other party candidates were being canceled in violation of constitutional provisions.
“We have urged the Election Commission to ensure that the matter does not become further complicated,” he said.

The four-member BNP delegation was led by Nazrul Islam Khan and included BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Ismail Zabiullah, former acting Election Commission secretary Mohammad Zakaria, and BNP leader Ruhul Quddus Kajal.

The BNP’s stance signals its willingness to engage in a referendum process, while continuing to press for reforms it says are essential to ensuring free, fair, and inclusive elections.