NCP Sets 3 Conditions Before Signing July National Charter

As the signing of the July National Charter draws near, political uncertainty deepens with the National Citizen Party (NCP) announcing that it will not endorse the charter unless three key conditions are fulfilled.

The signing ceremony, scheduled for 17 October, marks a critical moment in Bangladesh’s ongoing political transition following the July people’s uprising. However, the NCP’s stance — along with the boycott declared by four leftist parties and Gonoforum — has cast a shadow over what was expected to be a moment of national consensus.

At an emergency press conference held on Wednesday (16 October), NCP Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain outlined their party’s official position, presenting the three preconditions for participation in the signing ceremony.

The NCP’s Three Conditions

The text of the July Charter Implementation Order and the referendum question must be finalised and made public before the signing.

The Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus must issue the draft of the July Charter Implementation Order as an expression of the people's sovereign will.

If the July Charter is approved through a referendum, the note of dissent will have no validity. Based on the referendum’s outcome, the next elected parliament—vested with constituent power—will amend the Constitution, to be known as the Constitution of Bangladesh, 2026.

Speaking to journalists, Nahid Islam said the NCP could not sign the charter “without a clear legal foundation or guarantees regarding the implementation order.”

“If we sign the charter without knowing the legal framework or the text of the order, it will be meaningless. We must be assured of the context in which the next government will function and the specific content of the order,” Nahid said. “Until these matters are confirmed, we will not take part in the ceremony or any event related to the signing of the July Charter.”

He further stressed that the July Charter Implementation Order must be published before the signing and must be issued by the Chief Adviser in line with the sovereign intent of the people.

“We want to see the draft text first,” he added. “Since Chief Adviser Yunus formed the interim government through the mandate of the July people’s uprising, he should issue the order not as President, but as the Government.”

Background and Political Context

The July National Charter is the culmination of eight months of dialogue under the National Consensus Commission, which has brought together major political parties and civic platforms to frame a roadmap for governance, reform, and constitutional restructuring in post-uprising Bangladesh.

The Charter aims to outline the principles for accountable governance, electoral reforms, decentralisation of power, and the restructuring of key state institutions to prevent the recurrence of authoritarian practices.

An emergency meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on 14 October discussed the final draft of the charter. Political leaders presented their last-minute observations and concerns ahead of the signing.

While most parties reaffirmed their commitment to endorsing the charter, a few — including the NCP — raised questions about its implementation mechanism, constitutional implications, and timing of the referendum.

Reactions and Concerns

Political observers say the NCP’s demand for greater transparency in the process reflects a broader unease among several smaller parties about the drafting and execution of the July Charter Implementation Order.

A senior academic specialising in constitutional law said the NCP’s position underscores “the need for clarity and legality before committing to a binding national document.” He added that “premature endorsement without public scrutiny could weaken the legitimacy of both the Charter and the subsequent constitutional reforms.”

Meanwhile, sources close to the National Consensus Commission confirmed that efforts are underway to address concerns raised by the NCP and other parties through last-minute consultations before the signing ceremony.

The Chief Adviser’s Office has yet to issue an official response to the NCP’s demands, but officials hinted that the final draft of the Implementation Order may be circulated among participating parties before the event.

Outlook

The upcoming signing of the July National Charter is seen as a pivotal step in shaping Bangladesh’s political future, aiming to institutionalise the spirit of the July uprising through inclusive reform and consensus-building.

However, the NCP’s insistence on prior publication of the Implementation Order and referendum question suggests that achieving unanimity may prove challenging.

As the 17 October signing date approaches, all eyes remain on whether the interim government and the National Consensus Commission can bridge the differences and secure broad-based political endorsement for the historic charter.