The July Charter Implementation Order has offered something for all three of the most important parties - the BNP, Jamaat and NCP - the largest stakeholders in the success of the July Uprising. The first reactions are still coming in, but all the parties should accept it and move forwards towards what promises to be a historic day - an election and a referendum rolled into one.

The referendum we knew was coming, will be held on the day of the parliamentary election. That is in line with what emerged as the BNP's principal concern by the end. The mandate to change the basic structure is being validated by the Constituent Assembly, that NCP has been championing from the start. While a powerful Upper House, one expected to benefit the Jamaat most, has received a strong nod in the framing of the question.

The parties can amend the Constitution according to their notes of dissent, which if not categorically stated, is indicated by some of the language in some of the language of the fourth option ("Gha") that the Chief Adviser articulated. As a result, the government has averted the morass into which the reform process was headed, with the proposal of the National Consensus Commission to have the referendum on the schedule, excluding the parties' notes of dissent - for better or worse, going back on rules it had set during the discussions.

We are pleased to see the IG assert its authority, and rather dismayed by the reaction of some of the parties. Jamaat is also refusing to let go of its demand to have the referendum precede the election. Yet from all that is known of the Bangladeshi electorate circa 2025, there can be no doubt that they stand as the party that would most benefit out of what is emerging as the central issue in the referendum: that of an upper house consisting of 100 members elected proportionally in the basis of the vote nationally for the lower house, with real powers too: any constitutional amendment will require the approval of a majority in the upper house.

These are exciting times to be alive in Bangladesh- with a constant sense of an opportunity at nation-building, over and above narrow self-interests. That alone can repay the price of the July Uprising, all the blood that was shed. We must lay down the ghosts of vengeance and vindictive politics, that was a hallmark of what was overthrown on August 5, 2024. On February 2026, we get to finish what we started on that date. And we must all look forward to it.