On the occasion of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, street theater and cultural programs were organized among the remote, marginalized, underprivileged, and backward coastal fishing communities to promote the exercise of voting rights, civic awareness, and voter consciousness. This was aimed at encouraging both women and men of these communities to actively participate in voting and exercise their civic rights. A truly democratic society cannot be built without including this neglected and backward fishing community. As part of this effort, on January 13, 2026, with the support of the international development organization IFES, ISDE Bangladesh organized street theater and folk songs in the Baroitoli Poharchanda Joldash neighborhood of Chakaria Upazila to present in a simple and lively manner to the general public the importance of voting, civic responsibilities, and the role of an informed voter.
The ISDE program officer, Md. Kamal Uddin hosted a cultural promotion program, with IFES Deputy Country Director Romana Amin Archi attending as the chief guest. Also present as guests were SM Najer Hossain, Vice President of the CAB Central Committee and Executive Director of ISDE, and Kaniz Fatema, Senior Program Manager of IFES. Ashraf Ali, Vice President of the Central Committee of the Bangladesh Small Fishermen Association, Lal Sen, a leader of the fishing community, and youth organizer Sarwar Alam spoke on the occasion.
The speakers further stated that creating an effective democratic environment requires emphasis on the participation of all sections of society, both men and women, by making people from all professions and social classes conscious and responsible voters, thereby building an inclusive and accountable society. The speakers highlighted topics such as citizens’ responsibilities, the voting process, the importance of free and fair elections, and misinformation during elections through songs, street plays, and cultural programs. This program was organized to raise widespread public awareness about voting rights and to ensure that all citizens can vote without anyone being excluded. At the end of the program, voter education leaflets and informative materials were distributed among the participants.
Participants expressed the hope that the street drama and folk song campaign would create a positive response among the audience and help convey voter education messages more effectively. Through street dramas and folk songs, the importance of voting, civic responsibilities, and the role of an informed voter are presented to the general public in a simple and lively manner. Around 300 people from the area attended the cultural campaign program. Additionally, a similar campaign program was organized on the same day at Ghonja Jaldash Para in Pekua Sheikh’s char.
The organizers have stated that various programs are being conducted with the aim of making the upcoming national parliamentary elections participatory, inclusive, and ensuring the voting rights of all citizens, initiated by ISDE Bangladesh in collaboration with the international development organization IFES. In the future, such activities will continue regularly to strengthen democratic processes and increase voter awareness among the youth and the disadvantaged general population in remote, marginal, and underprivileged areas of the country.
