Staff Correspondent, CHT News
Friday, 14 November 2025
The United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) has
responded to the Chief Adviser’s speech delivered to the nation regarding
reforms, the referendum, and the upcoming election.
In a statement issued today, Friday, 14 November
2025, UPDF Vice-President Nuton Kumar Chakma said in reaction to the speech of
Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus:
“He deserves appreciation for reiterating his pledge
to hold the election in mid-February next year. However, it is disappointing
that his speech did not include a commitment to creating a fair, peaceful, and
democratic environment suitable for elections across the country—including the
Chittagong Hill Tracts—before announcing an exact election schedule.”
He added, “If elections are held while maintaining
repression on political parties including the UPDF, and without ensuring them
equal opportunities to exercise democratic rights such as campaigning, then
such an election would be nothing more than a mockery in the name of
democracy.”
Commenting that free and fair elections are not
possible under an undeclared military rule in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the
UPDF leader said, “At present, in the name of anti-terror operations in the
hills, UPDF leaders, activists, and ordinary people are being tortured,
harassed, and arbitrarily arrested, which is making the situation even more
volatile and unstable.”
He demanded an immediate end to the so-called
operation and the withdrawal of the undeclared military rule and control.
Regarding reforms and the referendum, Nuton Kumar
Chakma stated, “By announcing that the referendum on reforms will be held on
the same day as the parliamentary election, the democratic reform of the state
has been pushed toward extreme uncertainty. The fallen fascist forces may use
this referendum to conspire against and derail the reform agenda.”
Commenting on the July National Charter—which, he
said, does not reflect the hopes and aspirations of the people of the
Chittagong Hill Tracts—he stated, “It is nothing more than a token election
pledge by a few political parties. Expecting liberal democratic reforms of the
state from extreme right-wing political parties is nothing but folly.”
The UPDF leader expressed firm conviction that no
political party lacking internal democratic practices, and where all
decision-making power is vested in a single individual, can ever bring about
democratic reforms in the state.
He demanded that all reform programs be implemented
and a democratic environment be established in the Chittagong Hill Tracts
before the election.
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