The poisonous history of referendum in Bangladesh

Today, alongside the 13th general elections, Yunus regime also is holding referendum which is mainly aimed at granting sweeping indemnity to all of the misdeeds of the last 18 months, and at the same time, make Bangladesh’s democracy extremely confusing and complex, which would only open the prospect for Yunus to remain in power by proclaiming himself as the Supreme Leader. Once this vicious plot is actualized, Bangladesh’s next and future parliaments will become similar to those of the parliaments of Iran, North Korea and other brutal dictatorships.

Since the independence of the country on December 16, 1971, Bangladesh already has seen three referendums – in 1977, 1985 and 1991. The referendums of 1977 and 1985 were held under military rules, while the 1991 referendum took place to create the provision of caretaker government, that would hold national elections. Here are the chronological information on those referendums:

MAY 30, 1977

Question: “Do you have confidence in President Major General Ziaur Rahman, BU [Bir Uttam] and the policies and actions he pursued?”

Total voters 3,83,63,858

Turn out 88.05 percent

Yes 98.88 percent

No 1.12 percent

MARCH 21, 1985

Question: Do you have confidence in the policies and programmes pursued by President Lieutenant General Hussain Muhammad Ershad, and do you support his continued tenure as president until elections are held in accordance with the suspended constitution?

Total voters 4,79,10,964

Turn out 72.44 percent

Yes 94.11 percent

No 5.50 percent

SEPTEMBER 15, 1991

Question: Should the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh (Twelfth Amendment) Bill, 1991, receive the assent of the president?

Total voters 6,22,04,118

Turn out 35.19 percent

Yes 84.38 percent

No 15.64 percent.

From the above “results” it is seen that all of the referendums got 98.88 percent to 84.38 percent votes. According to available information, only the referendum of 1991 was more or less genuine, although the number of votes were questionable. But other two referendums were indeed bogus and absolutely staged. This time again, the referendum of 2026 is going to the hoax of all, as Yunus regime along with its political allies such as Jamaat-e-Islami are not leaving any stone unturned in anyhow making the referendum win. At the same time, Yunus regime has spent billions of takas towards campaign in favor of “YES” votes, which clearly is unethical and violation of people’s trust.

One may ask – why Muhammad Yunus and his cabal are so much interested in anyhow getting the referendum win. The answer is indeed extremely troubling, as this referendum will not only complicate country’s democracy, it also will possibly push Bangladesh towards total uncertainty.

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Source: Weekly Blitz :: Writings


 

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