Dhaka: Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farjana today urged information officers to motivate people through disseminating necessary information for ensuring their spontaneous participation in the upcoming general election. "Election campaign must be pro-people to increase participation of voters in the parliamentary polls," she said while addressing a meeting organized on the Zoom platform to provide guidelines on field-level election campaign for the upcoming 13th National Parliament Election and referendum.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the meeting was organized with district information officers at the initiative of the Mass Communication Department. Mass Communication Department Director General Md Abdul Jalil presided over the meeting where employees of 68 field offices of the department took part. Mahbuba Farjana emphasized that the upcoming election will be unique and unprecedented compared to past elections as per the instructions of the Chief Adviser. She highlighted the crucial role of district information offices in shaping public opinion and instructed officers to commence the election campaign immediately.
The information secretary noted that the national elections and referendum will occur simultaneously for the first time, presenting a significant challenge in informing the grassroots level. She expressed confidence in the information officers' ability to meet this challenge and mentioned coordination between the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs for the election campaign.
Additionally, she emphasized the importance of fact-checking and urged officers to collaborate with Bangla Fact under PIB's leadership. She encouraged the officers to work innovatively and in coordination with district administrations and election officers. Abdul Jalil, Director General of the Department of Mass Communication, highlighted the department's 102 years of experience in campaign activities. He noted that 34 songs have been prepared in alignment with the electoral code of conduct to enhance the campaign's appeal and ensure voter participation. These songs will be performed in regional languages and specific areas, with demonstrations on voting procedures provided in village markets.
Additional Secretary Dr. Mohammad Altaf-ul-Alam, Joint Secretary Mahfuza Akhtar, and Directors of the Department of Mass Communication Mir Mohammad Aslam Uddin and Syed A. Mu'men, among others, addressed the event.