Ordinance on referendum in a few days

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul yesterday said work is under way on an ordinance to provide a legal basis for the referendum, although the dates for the election and referendum, which are to be held on the same day, have not yet been set.

An ordinance must be enacted before a referendum can be held, and it will be ready within three to four working days, he said at a press briefing after a meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.

The government has decided to hold a referendum on the day of the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election to seek public opinion on constitutional reform proposals in the July charter.

Meanwhile, the government is preparing measures to bring back ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, both sentenced to death for crimes against humanity and currently in India.

Bangladesh plans to send a letter to the Indian government requesting their extradition. The government is considering approaching the International Criminal Court.

Asif Nazrul said  since the accused have been convicted and sentenced to death, India has an additional responsibility under the extradition agreement to return them.