Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan casted her vote at Ideal School and College on Central Road in Dhanmondi here this noon. Photo: PID

DHAKA, Feb 12, 2026 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said despite challenges and useless debates, people are exercising their voting rights spontaneously.

“People are voting spontaneously today,” she told journalists after casting her vote at Ideal School and College on Central Road in Dhanmondi here this noon.

Adviser Rizwana, also in charge of the ministries for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Water Resources, expressed her happiness as she cast her vote on this day and said, “Let’s celebrate this election, the government’s endeavor.”

She added: “Everyone is exercising his or her voting right in an orderly manner. People have truly been empowered.”

About polls propaganda, Syeda Rizwana said, “Until yesterday, I heard what the election will be like? Many people have even sent SMS to know. The people of the country were worried about whether the 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) polls will be held or not.”

Replying to another question, she said, “I was never in power. I was in charge only. Responsibility is a lifelong matter. There is no scope to procrastinate this issue.”

Noting that she worked on the environment as the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), the adviser said, “Now I work on the environment as an adviser. When I leave, I will go to BELLA and work on the environment again.”

She said the country has remained on the basis of negativity and suspicion for so many years. But it has already been proved that all the negative narrative is not applicable to us.

In response to another question, the adviser said, “The matter of announcing the results after the election is not our business . . . but the Election Commission.”

“So, as soon as the gazette notification is made, the oath is taken, we will immediately hand over the responsibility,” the information adviser mentioned.

“And we are still in charge. Every day, the state has some work to do. From the moment the oath is taken, we are no longer in charge,” the adviser added.