Today, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farzana participated virtually in a review meeting to assess the progress of publicity activities conducted by District Information Offices for the upcoming national elections and referendum. Photo: PID

DHAKA, Dec 18, 2025 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farzana today said the government will implement extensive nationwide public awareness campaigns to ensure broad-based participation of voters in the 13th national elections and referendum. 

As part of this initiative, she directed the authorities concerned to begin robust awareness activities across the country starting tomorrow.

She issued the directives while joining virtually a review meeting on the progress of publicity activities of District Information Offices in connection with the upcoming national elections and the referendum. 

The meeting was chaired by Director General of the Department of Mass Communication, Md Abdul Jalil, and attended by heads of 68 field-level information offices.

Speaking as the chief guest, Mahbuba Farzana said courtyard meetings should be organised ward by ward to motivate voters, particularly young voters and first-time voters. 

At the same time, she instructed that under the “Votalap” programme, District Information Offices should conduct door-to-door outreach to encourage people to participate in the referendum.

The information secretary emphasised that ensuring the participation of all voters is essential to make the referendum meaningful and distinctive. 

She noted that energising voters is a major responsibility of the information offices and stressed informing citizens of the importance and benefits of voting. 

She added that participation in the referendum is vital for ensuring justice and the rule of law.
 
She further underscored that referendum campaigns should feature regionally tailored content and messages rooted in local language and culture, so that people can better understand the significance of the referendum.

Mahbuba Farzana also highlighted the importance of increasing voter awareness about the referendum and the electoral code of conduct through the “Ten-Minute Brief” programme. 

Under this initiative, she instructed officials of District Information Offices to stand in small rural markets to deliver brief ten-minute talks on electoral dos and don’ts, alongside distributing leaflets and publicity materials.

In his remarks as chair, Abdul Jalil said field-level staff are working tirelessly to provide practical demonstrations on the electoral code of conduct and the referendum, encourage young voters, and increase women’s participation. 

He informed that ten songs on the referendum have already been composed and are currently undergoing tuning and recording. 

These songs will soon be performed at the field level to enhance public engagement, he said. 

In addition, he said, content received from the Election Commission, the Office of the Chief Adviser, and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs is being widely disseminated at the grassroots level.

Among others, Director (Technical) of the Department of Mass Communication Mir Mohammad Aslam Uddin, Director of Barishal District Information Office Omar Faruk Dewan, Director of Rangpur District Information Office Dr Mofakkharul Iqbal, Director (Administration) Syed A Mu’men, and Director (Publicity and Coordination) Dalia Yasmin also spoke at the meeting.