A meeting, held at the Chief Adviser’s Office on Thursday, recommended the installation of both digital and regular billboards in densely populated areas of cities and towns to raise awareness about the upcoming referendum.
The goal is to provide the public with a clear understanding of the referendum’s subject matter, read a press release issued by the interim government on Thursday.
The meeting, chaired by Professor Ali Riaz, special adviser to the chief adviser and chief coordinator for Public Awareness Campaigns related to the 13th national parliamentary election and the referendum, was held at the Chief Adviser’s Office.
Administrators of Dhaka South City Corporation, and Gazipur and Narayanganj City Corporations participated in the meeting in person, while other participants joined online.
Notable attendees included Monir Haider, special assistant to the Chief Adviser, Mahbuba Farzana, secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and Md Rezaul Maksood Jahedi, secretary of the Local Government Division.
A total of 12 city corporation administrators and 330 municipal administrators participated in the meeting.
At the start of the meeting, Ali Riaz expressed profound sorrow at the passing of former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and prayed for her soul’s peace.
During the meeting, information and local government secretaries informed that following the government’s directives, several city corporations and municipalities have already started public awareness campaigns regarding the referendum, including using billboards.
Further installations of billboards are being planned. Information Secretary Mahbuba Farzana also mentioned that awareness campaigns are ongoing through photo displays, courtyard meetings, and various public gatherings.
Additionally, the Ministry of Culture’s additional secretary mentioned that mobile referendum campaigns are travelling to different districts. So far, seven video contents have been created, and efforts are ongoing to produce more.
Dhaka North City Corporation administrator Mohammad Azaz emphasised the importance of promoting the referendum on social media. Other city corporation administrators also presented their ongoing efforts in the meeting.
Monir Haider, special assistant to the chief adviser, urged that the referendum’s subject matter be disseminated through digital and traditional billboards at key entry points of cities, including Dhaka and Chattogram, as well as in other major urban areas.
He also recommended using the extensive network of local governments to reach voters effectively. Additionally, he suggested that mosque imams and leaders of other religious groups should help clarify the referendum subject to voters.
Ali Riaz also urged the widespread use of the referendum logo to generate public interest. He instructed that within the next seven days, billboards displaying the referendum logo, the ballot published by the Election Commission, and referendum leaflets should be installed in the most populated areas.
The city corporations and municipalities were urged to ensure maximum outreach within their capacities.
He further requested that content provided by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of Culture be promoted in as many locations as frequently as possible.
