Although democracy is called the rule of the majority, without the active participation of people from different political parties, religions, castes, communities, and professions, a democratic system cannot be established or made sustainable. Because of this, even those elected by vote can become authoritarian, reckless, and ignore public opinion. A citizen can disagree with any decision of the state. But this does not mean that they are opposing the state. However, they must have the freedom to express their opinion. Not all candidates of a voter may win. But it is essential for the voter to express their opinion and participate in the democratic process by voting for their preferred candidate. Just as no development or process can achieve completeness by excluding any part of society, similarly, the democratic process cannot be strong if any group or segment of society is excluded. Therefore, in the upcoming 2026 national parliamentary elections, it is important to raise awareness among various vulnerable and marginalized groups, especially coastal fishermen, religious minorities, and new voters, about the voting process, the importance of voting, and their responsibilities as voters.
On Monday, November 24, 2025, at 11 AM, in the Chokoria Upazila Parishad Hall in Cox’s Bazar, various speakers made the above remarks at the project introduction meeting of the Inclusive Voter Education and Awareness Project, organized by ISDE Bangladesh with the support of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).
The meeting, chaired by CAB Central Committee Vice President and ISDE Executive Director S. M. Nazeer Hesain, featured a speech by the chief guest, Chokoria Upazila Executive Officer Atikur Rahman. Special guests who spoke included Chokoria-Pekua Circle Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Abhijit Das and IFES Deputy Country Director Romena Amin Archi. Under the moderation of ISDE Monitoring Officer Supom Boduar, other speakers included Chokoria Police Station Officer-in-Charge Tauhidul Anwar, IFES Senior Program Manager Kaniz Fatema, ISDE Program Coordinator Jahangir Alam, Daily Purbokone staff reporter Jahed Chowdhury, Daily Samakal staff reporter M. R. Mahmud, social workers Swaibul Islam Shobuj and Ashraf Ali, among others.
Speakers emphasized that just as it is the responsibility of the local administration and the Election Commission to ensure a peaceful and acceptable election, it is equally important for all voters to participate in the electoral process. If people participate voluntarily, no malicious forces will dare to question or obstruct the election. Therefore, they urged an increase in public awareness to encourage everyone from all political parties and religious communities to exercise their constitutionally granted voting rights in the upcoming national parliamentary elections, and called for participation in the selection of local representatives independently to foster confidence and uphold civic dignity.
It is noteworthy that the non-governmental development organization ISDE, in collaboration with the international development organization IFES, is implementing the ‘Inclusive Voter Education and Awareness Project’ in Chokoria, Pekua, and Maheshkhali upazilas with the aim of making the upcoming 2026 national parliamentary elections participatory, inclusive, and ensuring the voting rights of all citizens. Under this project, various awareness-raising activities such as community meetings, cultural programs, discussions with religious leaders, miking, distribution of leaflets, and mock voting sessions will be organized to educate coastal fishermen, religious minorities, young voters, and other vulnerable and marginalized groups about the voting process, the importance of voting, and their responsibilities as voters.
