Banks instructed to run ‘Yes’ campaign for referendum

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has directed all banks to run campaigns supporting a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming referendum on the July Charter’s constitutional provisions.

The directive was issued at a bankers' meeting held at the BB headquarters today.

Chaired by BB Governor Ahsan H Mansur, the meeting was attended by a delegation from the Association of Bankers, Bangladesh (ABB), led by its chairman, Mashrur Arefin.

Nazma Mobarek, secretary of the Financial Institutions Division, also attended the meeting along with BB deputy governors, relevant executive directors, and directors.

The meeting discussed several issues, including the reduction of non-performing loans, BB's dollar purchases, and the upcoming referendum, which will be held on national election day, scheduled for February 12.

The referendum will comprise a set of questions for a "Yes/No" vote.

“We have been asked to campaign for a ‘Yes’ vote. A letter has come from the Chief Adviser’s Office instructing us to put up two banners in each branch to encourage people to take part in the referendum,” ABB Chairman Mashrur told The Daily Star over the phone.

At the meeting, they were told to do the same, he added.

He said the letter from the CA's office also asked banks to provide funds to nongovernmental organisations campaigning to raise public awareness of the referendum.

“We will also provide support through the ABB. Banks will undertake many activities because it’s complicated, and ordinary people need to understand it.”

“As the ABB chairman, I will spend money here and carry out some activities,” he added.

Earlier last week, the BB sent a letter instructing banks to put up banners at each branch to raise public awareness and encourage a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming referendum, said a managing director of a private commercial bank who attended the meeting.

A significant number of banks have already started campaigning at their branches.

When contacted, Arif Hossain Khan, executive director and spokesperson for the central bank, said he was not aware of the issue.