Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Secretary General and former Member of Parliament Professor Mia Golam Porwar said that if the demand for a referendum is ignored under any kind of pressure, the national election could fall into crisis. Therefore, the government must immediately issue an order to implement the July National Charter and announce a date for the referendum on it.

He said that on some reform issues, not only Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP but also several other parties have submitted notes of dissent. Hence, the referendum proposal must be prepared based on the same foundation upon which the Consensus Commission drafted the July National Charter—one that does not include any notes of dissent. This is what the people expect and demand.

He further said that Jamaat-e-Islami welcomes mutual dialogue as a means to resolve the ongoing political crisis. Jamaat-e-Islami has already proposed that all political parties, including the BNP, sit for talks. However, the responsibility for mediating this dialogue must be taken by the government, and Jamaat-e-Islami is ready to cooperate with the government in this regard.

He further said that on the reform issues where all parties in the National Consensus Commission had agreed, it would now be unfair, unreasonable, and undesirable for any signatory of the July National Charter to oppose those issues or demand inclusion of notes of dissent in the referendum.

Professor Porwar added that time is running out fast. Therefore, in the interest of forming a national unity beyond all political affiliations, preparations for the referendum must begin immediately, excluding all notes of dissent. He emphasized that the schedule for the referendum must be announced as soon as possible—before the announcement of the national election schedule—since it is the people’s demand.

He also said that Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is ready to participate in the election scheduled by the government for February 2026. However, before the election, a level playing field for all political parties must be ensured, reforms must be implemented, and all criminals, fascist forces, and their collaborators must be brought to justice.

He made these remarks as the chief guest at a voter gathering organized by Ward No. 8 of Union No. 4, Phultala Upazila, in Jugnipasha under Khulna-5 constituency on Friday evening (November 7).

The meeting was presided over by Syed Abu Jafar and hosted by Sheikh Ziaur Rahman. Special guests included District Secretary Munshi Mizanur Rahman, Assistant Secretary Gausul Azam Hadi, District Executive Council members Sheikh Sirajul Islam and Advocate Abu Yusuf Molla, Phultala Upazila Ameer Maulana Abdul Alim Molla, Upazila Secretary Maulana Saiful Hasan, District Labour Welfare Federation Vice President Ali Akbar Morol, Upazila Executive Council member Dr. Azizul Haque, Islami Chhatrashibir Khulna North District HRD Secretary Hossain Ahmed, District Library Secretary Borhan Hossain, Phultala Thana President Abdur Rahim, Phultala Union Ameer Master Mofizul Islam, and Union Secretary Hafiz Al Amin, among others.

Later, at 7:30 p.m., the Secretary General also addressed another voter gathering as chief guest at the initiative of Ward No. 1 of Atra-Gilatala Union in Moshiali Dakshinpara. The program was presided over by Ward President Maulana Robiul Islam and hosted by Secretary Kamal Hossain.