The government has decided to hold a national referendum on the same day as the upcoming parliamentary election. As a result, the Election Commission (EC) must reconsider various aspects of its preparation. Experts say the biggest challenge will be conducting effective public campaigns. In addition, increasing the number of polling centres and booths, preparing two types of ballots, recruiting extra staff, and providing necessary training will create an enormous workload for the EC within a short period.
Campaigning: The Biggest Challenge
According to officials, while candidates conduct extensive campaigns using their respective symbols during national elections, they have little interest in campaigning for a referendum. Consequently, the responsibility of promoting the referendum largely falls on the government, raising questions about how much public engagement the referendum will generate.
Dr. Md. Abdul Alim, election expert and member of the Election System Reform Commission, said:
“Holding a national election and a referendum on the same day is challenging for the EC. The roadmap must be revised, and preparations intensified. Two ballots, two ballot boxes, and separate counting teams will be required. It is difficult, but not impossible.”
He added that campaigning is the most complex part of the referendum. Political parties must run dual campaigns—one for the national election and another for the referendum. Extensive outreach through mass media, social media, and religious institutions will be essential, particularly to make illiterate voters understand the referendum issues.
Increased Costs for Two Votes in One Day
Sources say this is the first national referendum in about 34 years. Holding both the national election and the referendum together will require additional polling centres, booths, staff, training, and materials—raising costs by more than 20 percent.
Jasmin Tuli, another member of the Election System Reform Commission, stated:
“One purpose of holding both votes on the same day is cost reduction. Even so, the referendum will still require 10–15 percent additional spending.”
She noted that separate teams will be needed for polling and vote-counting. Although law enforcement can operate under the same structure, additional polling booths will be necessary to manage voter pressure.
Referendum on Four Issues Through a Single Question
The interim government has decided to place four reform proposals into a single referendum question. On Tuesday, the Chief Adviser’s Office published the proposed question on its official Facebook page.
The four proposals include:
a. Reconstitution of the caretaker government, election commission, and constitutional bodies in line with the July Charter.
b. Establishment of a bicameral parliament, with a 100-member upper house formed through proportional representation, and mandatory approval from the upper house for constitutional amendments.
c. Implementation of 30 reform proposals agreed upon by political parties in the July Charter—including enhanced women’s representation, appointment of the deputy speaker from the opposition, selection of parliamentary committee chairs, limiting the prime minister’s tenure, strengthening the president’s authority, expanding fundamental rights, and reforms in the judiciary and local government.
d. Implementation of other reforms outlined in the July Charter according to political commitments.
Dr. Dil Rowshan Jinnat Ara Nazneen, Professor of Political Science at the University of Dhaka, believes that combining four issues into a single question may confuse voters. Given the short timeframe, raising public awareness will be a major challenge for the EC.
Double Preparations, Longer Counting Time
The EC is preparing to announce the election schedule in early December. Arrangements are underway to print two types of ballots for nearly 130 million voters at home and about 100,000 expatriate voters.
Nationwide, there will be 43,000 polling centres, 245,000 polling booths, 900,000 to 1,000,000 polling officials, and 700,000 to 800,000 members of law enforcement agencies.
Jasmin Tuli said:
“Two separate teams will be needed for vote-counting—one for the national election and another for the ‘yes–no’ referendum votes. This will significantly increase counting time.”
She further noted that February’s shorter daylight hours leave no scope for extending voting time.
Overall Challenge
Holding a national election and a referendum on the same day presents a rare and complex challenge for the Election Commission. Campaigning, preparation, training, logistics, and vote-counting will require heightened effort across all levels. Experts believe that without proactive involvement from political parties, the EC will struggle to overcome these challenges.