Professor Ali Riaz, special assistant to the chief adviser, on Saturday said a large majority of voters cast their ballots in favour of reform in the February 12 referendum.

Speaking at a post-election press conference at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital, he said the outcome reflects clear public support for constitutional reforms proposed in the July National Charter.

“Through this verdict, citizens have very clearly and unequivocally voted in favour of constitutional reform. It is evident that a large number of people do not want to return to the old system or maintain the status quo. They want change and reforms in the state structure,” he said.

Citing Election Commission data, Ali Riaz said 77,695,023 voters participated in the referendum, representing 60.84% turnout. Of them, 48,200,660 voters—68.6% of the total cast—voted ‘yes’, while 22,071,726 voters, or about 31%, voted ‘no’.

He noted that turnout in the referendum exceeded that of the parliamentary election by around one percentage point.

Ali Riaz said the verdict should not be viewed solely in numerical terms. “This reflects the responsibility entrusted to us by those who sacrificed their lives and those who were injured in the August 2024 uprising,” he added.

Responding to a question on the formation of an upper house of parliament, he said the structure would be determined in line with the referendum results, and that the elected government would take the next steps. “It is not the time to make a final decision,” he said, adding that political parties have pledged commitment to reform.

On another query, he said Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has expressed his intention to return to his previous profession in the future and is preparing for that transition.

Ali Riaz said implementing the referendum verdict is the responsibility of all political parties—both those in parliament and those outside it—and called for dialogue and cooperation to ensure reform.

He also congratulated the newly elected members of parliament and the political parties, as well as voters for participating peacefully in the electoral process.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam was also present at the briefing.