Dhaka: Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farzana announced that the government will launch extensive nationwide public awareness campaigns to ensure broad-based voter participation in the 13th national elections and referendum. As part of this initiative, she directed authorities to start robust awareness activities across the country beginning tomorrow.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Mahbuba Farzana issued these directives during a virtual review meeting on the progress of publicity activities of District Information Offices related to the upcoming national elections and referendum. The meeting, chaired by Director General of the Department of Mass Communication Md Abdul Jalil, was attended by heads of 68 field-level information offices.
Mahbuba Farzana emphasized the organization of courtyard meetings at the ward level to motivate voters, particularly young and first-time voters. She also instructed District Information Offices to conduct door-to-door outreach under the 'Votalap' programme to encourage participation in the referendum. Highlighting the importance of voter participation, she stressed the need for regionally tailored content and messages rooted in local language and culture to convey the significance of the referendum.
The information secretary also underscored the critical role of information offices in energizing voters and informing citizens of the importance and benefits of voting. She mentioned that participation in the referendum is vital for ensuring justice and the rule of law, and highlighted the 'Ten-Minute Brief' programme as a means to increase voter awareness about the referendum and the electoral code of conduct.
As chair of the meeting, Abdul Jalil noted that field-level staff are actively working to provide practical demonstrations on the electoral code of conduct, encourage young voters, and increase women's participation. He shared that ten songs on the referendum have been composed and are undergoing tuning and recording to be performed at the field level for public engagement. Additionally, content from the Election Commission, the Office of the Chief Adviser, and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs is being widely disseminated at the grassroots level.
Other speakers at the meeting included Director (Technical) of the Department of Mass Communication Mir Mohammad Aslam Uddin, Director of Barishal District Information Office Omar Faruk Dewan, Director of Rangpur District Information Office Dr Mofakkharul Iqbal, Director (Administration) Syed A Mu'men, and Director (Publicity and Coordination) Dalia Yasmin.