Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Prof Ali Riaz addressed a conference of Imams of Rajshahi division at Hazrat Shah Makhdum Edigah today. Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS)- Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Prof Ali Riaz has said a mandate of the voters (referendum) on the July Charter is indispensable for future Bangladesh’s state structure and full-length establishment of democracy.

Important decision on how the state will run and how the judiciary, election commission and anti-corruption commission will function independently will come through the referendum, he said adding that for this reason electorates should cast ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum.

Ali Riaz said this while addressing a conference of Imams of Rajshahi division at Hazrat Shah Makhdum Edigah in the city today.

District Administration and Islamic Foundation organized the conference aimed at publicity for the referendum and motivating the voters.

CA’s Special Assistant (Consensus) Monir Haider, Commissioner of Rajshahi division Dr ASNM Bazlur Rashid, DIG of Police Dr Muhammad Shahjahan and Commissioner of RMP Dr Zillur Rahman also spoke while Director General of Islamic Foundation Abdus Salam Khan was in the chair.

Prof Ali Riaz said some differences among the political parties were seen on the issue of signing of the July National Charter. But there was no difference among them on holding referendum. 

He said the political parties reached a consensus related to the referendum as it’s a historical scope to get direct opinion of the people.

Referring to the experiences of the previous elections he said the people want to give vote spontaneously but the process was obstructed repeatedly.

Prof Ali Reaz also said if the people give verdict to the fundamental structure of state operation the next governments will be compelled to function according the peoples will.