Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Professor Ali Riaz spoke as the chief guest at a divisional meeting in Mymensingh aimed at promoting the referendum and motivating voters. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Jan 19, 2026 (BSS)- Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser and Chief Coordinator of public awareness activities for the upcoming referendum Professor Ali Riaz has said there is no legal bar for the government employees to campaign for ‘yes’ vote in the referendum scheduled for February 12 next.   

“The campaigning for a ‘yes’ vote is not only permissible but also a moral responsibility of the government employees,” he said.

He made the remarks today while speaking as the chief guest at a divisional exchange meeting in Mymensingh aimed at promoting the referendum and motivating voters. 

Emphasizing the significance of the referendum, Prof Riaz said the sacrifice of countless martyrs laid the foundation of the current democratic journey, and the spirit of the July Uprising would be reflected through the referendum.

“If we do not want democracy, rule of law and humanity to be sacrificed to the will of one individual, if we do not want fascist tyranny, corruption and plunder of national wealth to return, then the referendum must be won by a ‘yes’ vote,” he said.

Addressing concerns about the role of public servants, Prof Riaz said discussions with constitutional experts, former judges and lawyers had produced a unanimous opinion that there is no legal bar preventing government employees from campaigning for a ‘yes’ vote. 

He accused those claiming otherwise of spreading confusion or acting with ulterior motives.

Referring to the period from 2009 to 2024, he said those who resisted self-centered authoritarianism -many of whom faced imprisonment, persecution, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings-had left behind two responsibilities. One is preventing the return of authoritarian rule and other is building a clear roadmap for Bangladesh’s future.

Noting widespread public distrust in voting, Prof Riaz said the referendum would be a new experience for many citizens. 

He stressed the need to clearly explain the voting process, the meaning of ‘yes’ and ‘no’ votes, and urged campaigners to use the ‘tick mark’ on the ballot as the main campaign symbol to encourage voter participation.

He also reiterated that the interim government is operating under three mandates following the July–August 2024 Mass Uprising—reform, justice and elections—adding that the government’s role is to create a conducive environment, while elections and trials are conducted independently by the Election Commission and the courts.

Criticizing past constitutional amendments, Prof Riaz said the 15th Amendment was made at the behest of a single individual, leading to the abolition of the caretaker government system. 

“Such unilateral decision-making must be stopped so that constitutional amendments do not become a child’s play,” he added.

Speaking as a special guest, Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin said a ‘yes’ verdict was essential to institutionalize democracy, prevent corruption and misrule, and ensure a prosperous future for coming generations. 

He dismissed claims that a ‘yes’ vote would remove religious phrases from the constitution as deliberate misinformation and urged government employees to counter such rumors with accurate information.

Another special guest, Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant (consensus building) Journalist Monir Haider said that voting ‘yes’ was necessary to fulfill the dreams of youths, students, farmers, workers and shopkeepers who lost their lives under what he termed a fascist regime.

He called on government employees to inspire citizens to vote ‘yes’ to uphold the spirit of the July Uprising and continue Bangladesh’s democratic journey.

The meeting, chaired by Mymensingh Divisional Commissioner Farah Shammi, was attended by senior officials from various departments.