Staff Reporter :
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has said that the interim government is not taking sides with any political party ahead of the upcoming 13th parliamentary election, stressing that its sole objective is to ensure a free, fair and festive vote.
Speaking as the Chief Guest at the inauguration of the Vote Caravan programme at the Government Boys High School ground in Bhola town on Saturday morning, he said the national election was scheduled to be held on 12 February and that all political parties were preparing to take part.
“The interim government wants an election where people can vote freely and see their chosen representatives elected. I want to say this clearly. This government is not in favour of any party,” he said.
Touhid Hossain said the forthcoming election was especially significant as no genuinely competitive election had taken place in the country over the past 15 years.
He noted that the last acceptable election was held in 2008, meaning a large number of young citizens under the age of 30 had never had the opportunity to vote.
“This election is particularly important for them. Our goal is to ensure that every citizen can cast a vote according to their own choice,” he said.
On the nomination process, the adviser said the deadline for collecting nomination papers was approaching and that it would soon become clear which candidates would be contesting the election.
He added that the government’s primary aim was to allow voters to choose their preferred candidates through the electoral process.
Referring to political changes in July and August 2024, Touhid Hossain said those developments came through the sacrifices of the country’s young people.
Based on the demands raised during that period, a list of reform proposals had been prepared. He said plans were in place to hold a separate referendum to seek public opinion on those proposals.
Under the planned referendum, voters would be able to cast yes or no votes on the listed proposals, either in full or in part. Future elected representatives would take decisions based on the outcome, he said.
Explaining the purpose of the Vote Caravan, the adviser said it aimed to encourage people to participate in voting and to ensure a peaceful environment at polling centres.
He added that the interim government would cooperate with the Election Commission whenever requested and that all concerned were committed to holding a credible election.
The programme was chaired by Bhola Deputy Commissioner Dr Shamim Rahman. Superintendent of Police Shahidullah Kawsar and Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Arifuzzaman also addressed the event, alongside local leaders and representatives from various professions.
The Vote Caravan is scheduled to visit different upazilas of Bhola over the next two days as part of efforts to raise voter awareness and participation.
