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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