BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has urged the people of the country to vote "Yes" in favor of reforms in the upcoming referendum, alongside casting their votes for the 'sheaf of paddy' symbol in the February 12 Jatiya Sangsad (JS) elections.

"We must respect the July Charter that we signed. That is why I request all of you to vote 'Yes' on the second ballot paper, just as you will seal the 'sheaf of paddy' symbol on February 12," he said.

Tarique Rahman made the remarks while addressing a BNP-organized divisional election rally at the historic Collectorate Eidgah ground in Rangpur city at 8:45 pm on Friday.

He said Rangpur is land sanctified by the holy blood of martyr Abu Sayeed. It is the moral responsibility of the nation to protect the July Charter, for which nearly 1,400 martyrs including Abu Sayeed and Wasim in Chittagong sacrificed their lives and dreams.

Therefore, he said, along with voting for the 'sheaf of paddy' symbol at polling stations from early morning, everyone must also vote "Yes" in the referendum.

Tarique Rahman said that the change that occurred on August 5, 2024 to establish the political rights of the people was not led by any single political party. Rather, the transformation came through the collective efforts of people from grassroots levels to all segments of society across the country.

Referring to past elections, he said the era of "Nishirater Vote" and "Ami-Dummy" elections is over, and urged citizens to remain vigilant while exercising their democratic rights.

"To sustain this change, BNP must win the February 12 election through votes cast for the 'sheaf of paddy' symbol. Only then will our rights be ensured. And because we respect the July Charter, we will vote 'Yes' in the referendum," he said.

Highlighting BNP's development vision for Rangpur, the party chairman said that although many label Rangpur as a poor region, it is in fact a highly promising area. "Our goal is to reshape Rangpur," he added.

He mentioned that while traveling to Rangpur, he observed widespread enthusiastic preparations for planting Boro rice seedlings.

"At one time, Boro rice was not cultivated in this region. Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman initiated its cultivation by digging canals to increase food production," he said.