Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk E Azam, Bir Pratik delivered the keynote address at a courtyard meeting in Bogra today. Photo: BSS

BOGURA, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS)- Liberation War Affairs and Disaster Management and Relief Adviser Faruk E Azam, Bir Pratik, today said if the 'Yes' vote wins in the referendum, there will be radical changes in the state structure and a historic opportunity will be created to ensure the people’s rights and freedom.

He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a courtyard meeting organised to motivate voters and increase public awareness on the occasion of the referendum and the 13th national elections.

Arranged by the District Information Office, the meeting was held in Phapor Paschimpara under Bogura Sadar upazila.

Addressing as the chief guest, Faruk E Azam said, “We are not a party. Different parties will join the next elections. You can vote for whoever you want and we have nothing to say here. We are neutral in this matter. We have only come to raise awareness about the 'Yes' and 'No' votes,” he said. 

The adviser said if the ‘Yes’ vote wins, it will bring radical changes in the state structure where fascist government will no more be able to repress people and cannot kill anyone without trial. “We want to establish these issues with the ‘Yes’ vote.”

Drawing a comparison between the 1971 Liberation War and the recent political reality, he said in the Liberation War, they fought against the foreign power with weapons but the movement of 2024 was a fight against themselves. 

Noting that the youth fought bare-handed against one-party rule, he said very few nations in the world have come to this stage after struggling like this.
 
The 'Yes' and 'No' votes will be held to cement this achievement, he said.

Explaining what changes will come if the 'Yes' vote wins in the referendum, Faruk E Azam said the Prime Minister will not be able to stay in power for more than 10 years, while the Prime Minister will not be able to be the head of a party at the same time.
 
He said the judiciary will be completely independent while the High Court benches will be set up at the divisional level and courts at upazila level.

He said as per its willing, the government alone will not be able to appoint important constitutional posts like the Chief Justice, members and chiefs of Public Service Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission. 

These institutions will have to be formed on the basis of consensus through talks with the opposition, the adviser said, adding that there would also be changes in the presidential pardon.

He said the interim government does not have the scope to implement the verdict obtained in the referendum but if the constitution is changed with the mandate of the people, it will automatically come into effect in the future.

So, he said, the opportunity that comes -- to lead the state in the right direction -- should not be lost.

At the courtyard meeting, the adviser also took questions related to the referendum from locals and answered those directly.

Bogura Deputy Commissioner Toufikur Rahman, Superintendent of Police Shahadat Hossain, senior officials of the district and police administrations, representatives of civil society and students were present.