Professor Ali Riaz addressing at an exchange-of-views meeting aimed at referendum campaigning and voter motivation at the auditorium of the Divisional Commissioner’s Office in Khulna. Photo : PID

KHULNA, Jan 22, 2026 (BSS) – Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser (adviser rank) and Chief Coordinator of Public Awareness Campaign Activities related to the Referendum, Professor Ali Riaz, today said that the nation’s success ultimately depends on the will of the people.

“If the country is to be reformed and equality as well as dignity are to be established, people must cast their votes in favour of ‘Yes’ in the upcoming referendum,” he said.

Prof Riaz made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at an exchange-of-views meeting aimed at referendum campaigning and voter motivation at the auditorium of the Divisional Commissioner’s Office here this afternoon.

He said the forthcoming referendum is the most effective means of determining the future structure of the state.

While the interim government remains neutral in the national parliamentary election, it supports ‘Yes’ in the referendum. According to the Constitution, there is no legal barrier for government employees to campaign in favour of ‘Yes’ in the referendum, he added.

Speaking as a special guest, Monir Haider, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, said the main objective of the 2024 Mass Uprising was to build a fascism-free and discrimination-free society.

He described the referendum as a public mandate for a new Bangladesh and a new state arrangement. He added that a verdict in favour of the July National Charter would permanently block the path of fascism in the Constitution.

Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md Mokhter Ahmed presided over the meeting.

Among others, Vice-Chancellor of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, Prof Dr Md Maksud Helali, Range DIG Md Rezaul Haque, and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Zahidul Hasan addressed the meeting as special guests.

Deputy Commissioners of 10 districts under Khulna division, divisional, district and upazila-level officials, election-related officials, representatives of chambers of commerce, teachers and students of schools and colleges, members of civil society, NGO representatives, and media professionals attended the meeting.