Govt employees can't campaign in referendum: EC

“However, they are allowed to inform the public and create awareness about the referendum,” he told journalists.

Sanaullah made the remarks after a view-exchange meeting with the district Law and Order Cell and the Vigilance Observation Team on preparations for the 13th national polls and referendum. The meeting was held at the Patuakhali District Commissioner’s conference room.

During the meeting, the Election Commissioner issued necessary directives to ensure that the general election and referendum are conducted in a free, fair, and impartial manner.

He clarified that the government has not spent any funds on the referendum and that no new directives have been issued. “We have only clarified the existing legal position. Section 21 of the Referendum Ordinance 2025 states that anything prohibited in a general election is also prohibited in a referendum,” he said.

As in general elections, Sanaullah added, government officials and employees cannot take any position for or against a ‘Yes’ vote, though they may educate the public about the process.

Noting that only 12 days remain before the polls, he expressed satisfaction with the election preparations in Patuakhali. “I am very satisfied with the preparations here and hope the election will be fair, transparent, and widely accepted,” he said.

The Election Commissioner also expressed hope for active public participation in the upcoming election and referendum, adding that the overall situation this year is better than during the previous polls.

The meeting, organized by the Patuakhali District Administration, was chaired by Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Dr. Md. Shahid Hossain Chowdhury. Assistant Returning Officers, senior law enforcement officials, election officials, departmental representatives, and members of the media were present.