BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan today spoke to journalists after a meeting with CEC A M M Nasir Uddin at the Election Building in Agargaon this evening. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Jan 13, 2026 (BSS) - BNP standing committee member and election conducting committee chairman Nazrul Islam Khan today said that the party will vote "Yes" in the upcoming referendum, as it supports the reform initiatives.

"We have decided that we will vote 'Yes' in the referendum. We are in favour of reforms," he told journalists after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin at the Election Building in Agargaon this evening.

Nazrul Islam Khan said BNP was the first political party to demand reforms, adding that discussions on reform issues were held based on BNP proposals and that the party actively participated in the reform committees. 

"We agreed on many issues and submitted notes of dissent on those where we could not agree. Many others also submitted dissenting notes. For example, other parties dissented on the issue of women's reserved seats, but we did not. Rather, we demanded an increase in women's seats," he said.

"Now we are not against these reforms. We support them. That is why we will vote 'Yes'," he added.

Replying to questions on maintaining a level playing field in the election, Nazrul said BNP has observed attempts to disrupt fairness in the electoral process and urged the Election Commission to take prompt action to prevent such situations.

On the issue of dual citizenship and the cancellation of candidacies, the BNP leader said many citizens were forced to live abroad during difficult times and had to acquire foreign citizenship. "Those who have renounced foreign citizenship face no constitutional bar to contesting elections. We have told the Election Commission that no one's constitutional rights should be denied," he said, adding that two candidacies had already been cancelled on this ground.

He further said the constitution clearly states that renouncing foreign citizenship restores eligibility for elections, and no law can override constitutional provisions. "There is no scope for complicating this matter," he added.

Regarding postal voting, Nazrul Islam Khan alleged irregularities in the design and distribution of ballot papers sent to voters abroad. He said that on some ballot papers, the names and symbols of certain political parties were deliberately placed prominently, while BNP's name and symbol were positioned in a way that might not be clearly visible when folded.

"We have requested the Election Commission to correct the ballot papers already sent abroad, if possible, and ensure that domestic postal ballots are prepared fairly," he said, adding that there were also errors in the distribution process of overseas postal ballots.

Nazrul Islam Khan also alleged that a particular political party is collecting voter ID cards, mobile numbers and bKash details from voters across the country, raising concerns about fake voting and possible financial inducements. 

"We have never seen this in previous elections. This clearly indicates a specific motive," he said, adding that BNP has formally informed the Election Commission and submitted a written complaint.

He further said BNP wants the election to be held on time with the participation of all political parties. However, he noted that some parties are already conducting open election campaigns, holding rallies and soliciting votes, while the Election Commission has yet to take visible action. BNP has submitted documents and examples to the EC in this regard, he added.

Among those present at the meeting were BNP Chairperson's Advisory Council Member Ismail Zabihullah, former Acting Election Commission Secretary Dr. Mohammad Zakaria, and former Supreme Court Bar Association Secretary Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kazal.

Election Commissioners Md. Anwarul Islam Sarkar and Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah, along with EC Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, also attended the meeting.