Following the signing of the July Proclamation and July National Charter, the interim government led by Prof Muhammad Yunus has entered the final phase of its democratic roadmap – organising a parliamentary election to transfer the power to and democratically elected government.

The administration has fulfilled two of its three key commitments through the proclamation and the charter, leaving only the general election to complete its transition pledge.

The July Charter signing ceremony, however, was marred by a minor embarrassment when the National Citizen Party (NCP) – formed by a group of student and youth leaders who spearheaded last year’s July uprising – refused to sign in protest, pressing for several of its outstanding demands.

Leaders of major anti-fascist political parties and analysts, however, expressed optimism that the NCP had merely left the door open for negotiation and would ultimately endorse the charter and join the polls.

“We hope the NCP will finally sign the National July Charter and join the polls. Those who are the real July warriors can never push the country into instability,” BNP Standing Committee member Selima Rahman told the Daily Sun.

The long-awaited July National Charter 2025 – a document pledging to rebuild Bangladesh on the foundations of democracy, equity, and human dignity in the wake of the 2024 uprising – was signed on Friday.

Prof Yunus and National Consensus Commission (NCC) Vice-Chairman Prof Dr Ali Riaz signed the charter on behalf of the government, joined by representatives of 27 political parties and alliances, including the BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

The charter, comprising 84 major reform proposals covering the constitution, judiciary, public administration and electoral system, was formalised at the event.

The NCP, despite being an early advocate of the initiative, boycotted the ceremony. Several left-leaning parties also abstained, citing reservations over certain provisions.

NCC member Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar confirmed that the absent parties might sign the Charter later.

The Gono Forum announced it would sign the charter on Sunday, having confirmed that the “Proclamation of Independence” remained included in the final version.

In a statement on Saturday, NCP Joint Member Secretary (Office) Saleh Uddin Sifat said the party would continue discussions with the NCC to resolve “legal complications” and ensure the Charter had “a proper legal basis” before signing.

An amendment was reportedly inserted at the eleventh hour before the signing, following protests from some July movement leaders.

Speaking at an event in Dhaka on Saturday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stressed the importance of participation in the polls.

“Even if there are differences among us, political parties must take part in the election to make it meaningful,” he said, adding that “all efforts must be directed towards making parliament the centre of all activities; otherwise, democracy will not function.”

Party leaders and analysts told the Daily Sun that they saw no obstacle to holding the election, despite a few parties, including the NCP, abstaining from signing the charter.

They emphasised that there was “no alternative” to holding the parliamentary election on schedule, as pledged by the interim government, to restore democracy and ensure national stability.

“There is no reason to delay the election. Holding the polls is the only alternative for every political party, including the NCP,” said political analyst and economist Prof Mahbub Ullah.

Political scientist Prof Kazi Mohammad Mahbobor Rahman of Dhaka University echoed this view and said, “Nothing will stand in the way of holding the polls now. All the anti-fascist political parties that were stakeholders of the July mass uprising have signed the Charter. There’s no reason to be disheartened.”

He added that the NCP’s decision not to sign was “a bargaining tactic” and predicted the issue would be resolved through dialogue.

Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad said, “The NCP has placed its demands. We hope the crisis will be resolved through discussion and that they will eventually sign the Charter. Since they led the mass uprising, they will come to a consensus.”

Bangladesh Liberal Democratic Party Chairperson and 13-party alliance coordinator Shahadat Hossain Selima accused Jamaat of misleading the NCP by delaying its signature.

“The NCP fell victim to deceit. Jamaat signed the Charter at the last moment, keeping the NCP in the dark. We still hope all parties, including the NCP, will sign eventually,” he said.

He added that with the Charter signed, “there is no fear of any third force emerging to exploit divisions among the anti-fascist parties, as all conspiracies have now failed.”

Party sources, including from the BNP and Jamaat, said preparations were now in full swing for the upcoming general election.

Over the next month, parties are expected to declare candidates, finalise manifestos, and intensify campaigning. Some potential contenders have already begun informal electioneering in their constituencies.

Analysts believe that once campaigning gains momentum, “confusion and ill-intentioned attempts to derail the polls will fade away.”

In Barishal on Saturday, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin told reporters that the election schedule would be announced in the first week of December.

“The Election Commission is committed to ensuring a free, fair and impartial election, overcoming all challenges,” he said.

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