Dhaka, Jan 04 (V7N) — Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Interim Government for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Water Resources, and Information and Broadcasting, said Saturday that the upcoming elections will be the first genuine vote in many years, free from any influence by the government or its supporters. She emphasized that the aim is for citizens to exercise their voting rights confidently and knowledgeably, and for the election to be fair, festive, and inclusive.

She made these remarks while speaking to journalists following the inauguration of an election-related training session organized by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) in Dhaka.

Rizwana Hasan noted that this election is being organized in the context of the fall of nearly 16 years of autocratic rule. “During such autocratic regimes, government institutions become dominated by loyalists, and the mindset itself is influenced. In contrast, we are organizing this election based on the strength of a popular uprising. The defeated forces may attempt to create obstacles, but we are prepared to face them,” she said.

She added that since the defeated forces lack public support, challenges can be addressed with the cooperation of the people. She urged journalists to communicate the reality to citizens and instill hope, reminding them of the hardships faced under the previous regime over the last 16 years.

Regarding potential political tensions during the election, the advisor stated that while some local disputes are expected, the government has proactively taken measures to prevent escalation. She also addressed questions about attacks on media personnel, noting that such intimidation is being orchestrated by defeated political forces, but the government remains capable of managing these challenges through the strength of the popular uprising.

Rizwana Hasan underscored the collaborative role of the government and media in fostering public awareness to ensure a smooth and credible election process.

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