Dhaka, Jan. 7 -- Shipping Advisor M Sakhawat Hussain has warned that failure to secure proper public participation in the upcoming referendum on proposed reforms could see Bangladesh revert to its previous system of governance.

He made the remarks on Wednesday at a roundtable discussion organised by the citizens' platform SHUJAN at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka.

The referendum, set to take place alongside the general election on Feb 12, is intended to implement reforms recommended by several reform commissions under the July National Charter.

Speaking at the event, Sakhawat questioned whether the promised reforms, particularly constitutional changes, were being adequately pursued.

"Even as a member of the government, I have to ask wh...