Bangladesh National Referendum and 13th General Election on 12 February 2026

Key facts

• The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies secured a two-thirds majority in the 13th parliamentary election held on 12 February 2026.
• A simultaneous national referendum was conducted to approve the July National Charter (Constitutional Amendment) Implementation Order, 2025.
• The proposed reforms include transitioning the country from a unicameral to a bicameral parliamentary system with a 100-seat upper house.
• The July National Charter introduces a 10-year (two-term) limit for any individual serving as the Prime Minister.
• The reform package seeks to reinstate the caretaker government system, which was previously abolished in 2011.
• The core constitutional principles of Bengali nationalism, democracy, socialism, and secularism are to be replaced by equality, human dignity, social justice, and religious freedom.
• The official nationality of citizens will be changed from Bengali to Bangladeshi under the proposed constitutional framework.
• New fundamental rights proposed in the charter include the right to uninterrupted internet access and the protection of personal information.
• The referendum mechanism was reinstated by a High Court ruling in 2024 following the removal of the previous administration.
• Bangladesh has previously held three national referendums in the years 1977, 1985, and 1991.
• The charter proposes the establishment of two new administrative divisions named Comilla Division and Faridpur Division.
• Article 70 of the Constitution, which prohibits members of parliament from voting against their party line, is proposed to be abolished.
• The number of reserved seats for women in the lower house of parliament is proposed to be increased to 100.