Khulna Bureau:
The much-awaited festive election cannot be held if illegal weapons cannot be recovered and muscle power cannot be controlled
The much-awaited festive election cannot be held if illegal weapons cannot be recovered and muscle power cannot be controlled. There is widespread dissatisfaction among the people with the past elections. Electoral Reform Commission member and election expert Jasmine Tully said this while speaking as the chief guest at the day-long training workshop for election observers in Khulna region organized by Voice Network.
Jasmine Tully said that the election observer training manual is essential for building a transparent, impartial and credible election observation system. To this end, the observation manual prepared by the election observation organization Impact Initiative was unveiled on the occasion of the upcoming 13th National Parliament Election.
The workshop was organized at 10 am today, Saturday (December 27, 2025) at the Theater Hall of Shilpakala Academy in Khulna City. More than three hundred observers from the constituencies of Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira districts participated in the workshop.
So that the election observers can perform their duties properly, hands-on training was provided on various aspects of observation principles, procedures, electoral laws and rules in the workshop.
Enayet Hossain, President of the Steering Committee of Voice Network and Chief Executive Officer of the National Development Organization Impact Initiative, presided over the event. Ekramul Haque Sayem, Member Secretary of Voice Network and Chief Correspondent of ATN Bangla, moderated the inaugural ceremony, and Dr. Md. Sahabul Haque, Vice Chairman of Voice Network and Professor of the Department of Political Studies, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, delivered the welcome speech. The special guests at the event were – Khulna Divisional Additional Regional Election Officer Raju Ahmed, Khulna Press Club Member Secretary Rafiul Islam Tutul, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists – BFUJ Assistant Secretary General Ehteshamul Haque Shaon, Election Observer Specialist Zahidul Islam, Abdullah Shaheen, etc.
The speakers at the workshop said that if we can honestly and properly fulfill our election-related responsibilities including observation from each position, then an exemplary election can be held in Bangladesh. The people did not have the right to vote in three consecutive elections. An entire generation does not know how to exercise the right to vote. The taste of democracy is unknown to them.
The speakers emphasized that every institution involved in conducting elections should work sincerely and diligently for a favorable, free, impartial election.
The speakers at the workshop said that election observation is an inevitable part of a democratic state system. Which will strengthen the democratic foundation. Because transparent and acceptable elections are the foundation of democratic governance.
The speakers said that the presence of impartial election observers will increase confidence among voters and encourage them to exercise their right to vote.
