Staff Reporter:
Adviser of the Information and Broadcasting ministry Syeda Rizwana Hasan yesterday said the govern-ment is fully prepared to hold the upcoming national election.
“We are committed and ready to hold the upcoming national election on time and will not allow vio-lence or intimidation to derail the democratic process,” the adviser said.
She made this remark after inaugurating Voter Gari Campaign at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad this afternoon.
Rizwana Hasan said the government wants to reassure citizens that the election process is progressing as planned.
“The Election Commission is present here. The election has been announced for February 12, all sym-bols have been finalized, and the government has taken full preparations to tackle the usual challenges that come with elections,” she said.
Referring to some recent untoward incidents, she said such acts were intended to spread fear among peo-ple.
“These acts of violence are meant to push the election towards uncertainty and discourage people from voting. These are extra challenges, and we are enhancing our preparation” she added.
Explaining the objective of the Voter Gari (Super Caravan) initiative, she said these vote vehicles are a message to the people that the government is fully committed to holding the election.
“The people are eager to vote and political parties support the election process,” she said.
She stressed that the government would respond to all challenges with stronger coordination.
Narrating the govt’s line up on recent attack on media, she said, “No one involved with the incident will be spared and such acts will not be tolerated.”
She added that if someone disagrees with another’s opinion, democracy allows counter-narratives—not intimidation, arson or violence.
She also noted that legal actions are underway against online incitement for creating mob violences from both inside and outside the country.
“There are procedural limitations, but the concerned ministries have already initiated steps,” she said.
Mentioning the preparedness of the election, she said, “We will raise the level of vigilance and prepared-ness to protect democracy and the institutions that uphold it.”
Earlier, the adviser along with adviser to the ministry of Cultural affairs Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, Sen-ior Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed, and Chief Adviser’s Press Secre-tary Shafiqul Alam officially launched the campaign by cutting the ribbon.
