Professor Ali Riaz, special assistant to the Chief Adviser, stated that the upcoming referendum is intended to ensure that future leaders of Bangladesh cannot become fascist. He made the remarks on Thursday in Dhaka at a workshop titled 'Upcoming Referendum and the Role of NGOs,' held at the NGO Affairs Bureau conference room. Riaz explained that flaws in the country’s constitutional and state structures have allowed authoritarian tendencies to emerge, and urged voters to support the 'Yes' option to block such paths.

He emphasized that the referendum will function like a general election, with voters receiving two ballots—one white for electing representatives and one colored for the referendum. Riaz said the people will decide through this process how Bangladesh will be governed in the future. He called on NGOs to raise awareness among grassroots communities, noting their trusted role in society.

Riaz added that the referendum’s approval could help implement the July National Charter, paving the way for greater transparency and accountability across state institutions.