Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul today spoke as the chief guest at a views-exchange meeting organised by the district administration at Bogura Zilla Parishad. Photo: BSS

BOGURA, Jan 19, 2026 (BSS)- Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul today said the country’s people were deprived of their voting rights in the last three national elections. 

“First time, voting was held in the dark night, second one was uncontested and thirdly one was held with dummy candidates and fake votes to retain in power,” he said.

The law adviser said for 15 consecutive years, the country’s people were deprived of the voting rights and state power was illegally enjoyed by declaring the candidates of the then ruling party elected.

He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a views-exchange meeting organised by the district administration at Bogura Zilla Parishad conference room here this afternoon.

Dr Asif Nazrul said Bangladesh is passing through a new era today as students and mass people through their outstanding role in July uprising have changed the situation.

As a result of this change, he said, the people have regained their rights to vote, which cannot be lost in any way.

“You will decide who your government will be. Earlier, Sheikh Hasina used to decide this, and now the people of the country will decide,” he said.

The law adviser said the interim government is making every efforts to arrange a free, fair and participatory election. 

He said the voters can cast their vote for whoever they like and it’s democracy. But if someone violates the rights of others, he or she will become a representative of fascism.

Dr Asif Nazrul said two historic events are going to happen in the upcoming elections. For the first time, he said, Bangladeshi expatriates will get the opportunity to vote, and at the same time, the national elections and referendum will be held.

About the need of the referendum, he said in the past, a regime was established in the country where people were tortured through Aynaghor, extrajudicial killings, disappearances, killings and false cases. 

“People were kept in prison without trial day after day, and even deaths have occurred in prison,” he said.

He said it was necessary to reform the country's laws, policies and institutions to end graft, money laundering, bank looting and the culture to be subservient to foreign powers. 

The interim government has taken various important steps within its limited period, including making the judiciary independent, strengthening the human rights commission, and reforming the codes of criminal and civil procedure, the law adviser said.
 
However, he said, major reforms require amending the Constitution, which is beyond the jurisdiction of the interim government.
Dr Asif Nazrul said areas of necessary changes have been included in the July Charter after holding talks with all political parties. The referendum is going to be organised to know the public opinion, he said.

Noting that there will be two options in the referendum - 'Yes' and 'No', he said “If you want discrimination, oppression, injustice and corruption to be eliminated, then vote 'Yes'. And if you want the rule of absolute power and graft as before, then vote 'No'.”

He said this is not a referendum in the interest of any political party but in the interest of the country.

The law adviser said one-third of the necessary reforms have already been implemented, while the people's 'Yes' vote is needed to implement the remaining others.

Urging the people to vote for their preferred candidates in the national elections, he said they should vote for the country in the referendum.

Bogura Deputy Commissioner Toufikur Rahman, Superintendent of Police Shahadat Hossain and representatives of civil society and students were present.