Dhaka, Oct. 9 -- As the Election Commission (EC) advances preparations for the parliamentary election, debate has returned to the national conversation over a referendum to implement the July Charter.

The commission says it has no separate plan for a referendum outside the parliamentary polls. If the government decides, however, the EC will work to implement it.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said holding a referendum on the same day as the parliamentary election would save "hundreds upon millions of taka".

The National Consensus Commission also says there is broad agreement on holding a referendum to implement the July Charter. Some parties propose holding the referendum and the parliamentary election on the same day, whil...