After 34 years, Bangladesh is returning to a political instrument that has historically carried both promise and controversy — the referendum. The interim government has described the referendum as a decisive step toward political reform and democratic renewal. The last referendum in Bangladesh was held in 1991, when voters overwhelmingly supported a return to parliamentary democracy following a mass uprising. That vote is often cited as a rare example of a referendum emerging from popular pressure rather than executive initiative. Rather than voting on these issues individually, voters must approve or reject the entire reform agenda through a single “Yes” or “No” choice.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 25, 2026 13:12 UTC