Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Tuesday said the forthcoming referendum is a matter of national interest and should not be viewed from partisan or personal perspectives.
She made the remarks while addressing an event as the chief guest, highlighting issues related to the 2026 referendum and the development of women and children.

The programme was organised by Bangladesh Betar in collaboration with the Department of Mass Communication at the Radio Colony ground in Savar under the “Awareness Campaign on Child, Adolescent and Women Development” project.

“If you vote ‘yes’ in the national interest, it does not matter whether you support any party or not—the country will win. And when the country wins, we all win,” Rizwana said.

She said the interim government came to power after the mass uprising in July with the responsibility of guiding the country on a reformed path.
“We have three major responsibilities—elections, reforms, and justice—to ensure that the country does not fall into the hands of any fascist forces. The people are the source of all power, and there must be space to exercise that power,” she added.

Rizwana, also adviser to the Ministries of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Water Resources, said electing leaders is a huge responsibility and that mistakes could push the country backward.
She noted that the proposed reforms were not drafted by the government alone but were prepared based on recommendations from six election-related commissions among the 11 commissions formed under the July Charter, which has been signed by all political parties.
She said the referendum includes proposals aimed at maintaining a balance of power, empowering the people, ensuring good governance, reforming the judiciary, and increasing women’s participation in politics.
The adviser said the referendum contains four major questions with “yes” or “no” options and urged voters to cast their votes in favour of “yes”. “When ‘yes’ wins, the people can truly begin the journey towards democracy,” she said.

Recalling the removal of the caretaker government system from the constitution in 2011, Rizwana Hasan said laws were passed within minutes at that time.

“We do not want such a situation to be repeated. If ‘yes’ prevails in the referendum, such scenarios will not occur, as the Deputy Speaker will come from the opposition and decisions will require the consent of the upper chamber of Parliament,” she added.
The adviser also said administrative posts should not be filled by party loyalists but by representatives of the people.
“If the referendum passes with a ‘yes’ vote, both the administration and institutions will be strengthened. Constitutional rights, including environmental and internet rights, will be expanded, and accountability in governance will increase,” she said.

Urging citizens to rise above personal and party interests, Syeda Rizwana Hasan called on everyone to vote ‘yes’ in the national interest.
The programme was presided over by Mahbuba Farjana, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a referendum rickshaw by cutting a ribbon.

Bangladesh Betar Director General ASM Zahid and senior officials of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting were also present. The second part of the programme featured cultural performances by popular musicians.