Environment adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Tuesday said the February election would lay a strong foundation for democracy through strengthening accountability to the people.
She said the election would consolidate democracy and bring the government under public scrutiny, adding that the journey towards building a discrimination-free and exploitation-free society, a dream yet to be fully realised, could begin from the polls.
Rizwana made the remarks while speaking to reporters after paying tribute to the martyrs at the National Memorial in Savar.
Describing the upcoming polls as more than a routine election, she said it would also function as a form of referendum, allowing people to express their views on key reform issues.
Based on that public mandate, she said, the democratic journey could begin anew in a renewed form.
She described efforts to suppress political opponents through violence, including assassination attempts, as unfortunate, condemnable and cowardly, saying there is no heroism in such acts.
“If one has strength, one must face the people,” she said, adding that in a democratic state the path to the people is well known.
The adviser said the culture of targeting opponents has no place in a new Bangladesh.
She said the government would be deemed successful only if it could fulfil its commitments to free and fair elections, justice and reforms.
Rizwana Hasan said the government’s objective is to ensure a peaceful and fair election so that people can cast their votes without fear, noting that certain forces are active in trying to disrupt the process and stressing the need to counter them while building social resistance.
