Rizwana Hasan rejects foreign commentary on Bangladesh election

Staff Reporter :

Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Information Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Wednesday said neighbouring countries may carry out their own assessments of Bangladesh’s upcoming election, but have no right to express opinions on the country’s electoral process, calling the issue a matter of national sovereignty.

She made the remarks while speaking to journalists at the Secretariat, reaffirming the government’s commitment to holding a free and fair election without any form of external interference.

“Neighbouring countries can analyse our election if they wish. That is their own matter,” Rizwana Hasan said. “But they cannot give opinions on our election. This is a question of our sovereignty and an internal process of an independent country.”

Responding to a question about regional and global interest in Bangladesh’s polls, the adviser stressed that the government was determined to ensure a credible election conducted solely under domestic authority.

She also issued a warning against any attempt to undermine the electoral environment, saying the government was fully prepared to act.

“If the Awami League tries to disrupt the voting environment, they will be firmly resisted,” she said. “The government is fully prepared in this regard.”

Rizwana Hasan further alleged that a coordinated campaign of misinformation was underway across social media and other platforms, aimed at creating confusion among the public about the election process.

“There is a deliberate effort to spread propaganda about the election,” she said, adding that such activities were intended to mislead people rather than reflect the reality on the ground.

Addressing concerns over law and order, the adviser said the government was not worried about the overall security situation ahead of the election.

“We have no information suggesting any major deterioration of the law-and-order situation centring the election,” she said.

However, she noted that authorities were observing certain political parties crossing behavioural limits. “If this tendency increases, the government will not hesitate to take strict action in accordance with the law,” she warned.

Reiterating the administration’s position, Rizwana Hasan said all preparations were focused on ensuring a peaceful electoral environment and preventing any attempt to destabilise the process.