Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said that the upcoming election in February will lay a strong foundation for democracy in Bangladesh, says a press release.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday morning after paying tribute at the Shaheed Memorial at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar, Rizwana said the election will strengthen democratic institutions and enhance government accountability. She added that the long-standing goal of building a society free from discrimination and exploitation can begin to take shape through this process.
The Adviser described the February election not just as a routine vote but as a public referendum, allowing citizens to express their opinions on key reform issues. “Based on this public mandate, the democratic journey of the country may begin in a renewed form,” she said.
Rizwana criticized the political culture in Bangladesh, noting that attempts are sometimes made to suppress opponents through violence rather than debate and dialogue. She called such acts cowardly and condemned them, emphasizing that true engagement in a democratic state requires facing the people openly.
She stressed that a culture of eliminating political opponents has no place in a new Bangladesh. “The government will be considered successful only if it achieves the objectives with which it began its journey—holding a free and fair election, ensuring justice, and implementing meaningful reforms,” she said.
Acknowledging challenges, the Adviser said certain forces are attempting to disrupt the electoral process. She emphasized the need for both resisting these forces and building collective social resilience.
“The government’s goal is to ensure a peaceful, fair, and participatory election so that people can vote freely and without fear,” she said, adding that public safety and preventing the spread of fear remain key responsibilities of the authorities.
Rizwana Hasan concluded that the government is firmly committed to delivering a credible election while safeguarding citizens from intimidation and ensuring a transparent democratic process.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
