EC Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah spoke at a view-sharing meeting at the Patuakhali District Commissioner's conference room on Friday. Photo: BSS

PATUAKHALI, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS) - Election Commissioner Brig. Gen. (Retd) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah today said government officials and employees will not be allowed to campaign in favor of 'Yes' or 'No' in the upcoming referendum.

"However, they are permitted to inform the public and raise awareness about the referendum," he added.

He made the remarks while speaking to journalists after a view-exchange meeting with the district Law and Order Cell and Vigilance Observation Team on preparations for the 13th national polls and referendum, held at the Patuakhali District Commissioner's conference room this afternoon.

During the meeting, the Election Commissioner issued necessary instructions to ensure that the upcoming general election and referendum are conducted in a free, fair, and impartial manner.

Sanaullah clarified that the government has not spent any funds on the referendum, and no new directives have been issued. "We have only clarified the matter according to the law. Section 21 of the Referendum Ordinance 2025 states that whatever is prohibited in the general election is also prohibited in the referendum," he said.

Just like in general elections, he said, government officials and employees cannot take any position for or against a "Yes" vote, though they can inform and educate the public.

He also noted that only 12 days remain before the polls and expressed satisfaction with the election preparations in Patuakhali. "I am very satisfied with the preparations here and hope the election will be fair, transparent, and widely accepted," he said.

The Commissioner expressed hope that the general public will participate actively in the upcoming election and referendum. He added that the overall situation for this year's election is better compared to the previous one.

The view-exchange meeting, organized by the Patuakhali District Administration, was presided over by Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Dr. Md. Shahid Hossain Chowdhury. 

Assistant Returning Officers, senior law enforcement officials, core officers, department representatives, election officials, and members of the media attended.