KHULNA, Feb 7, (V7N) – Hasnat Abdullah, Chief Organizer (South) of the National Citizen Party (NCP), on Friday called for broad public unity ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming national election, emphasizing the importance of a credible and inclusive electoral process.

Speaking at an election rally organized by the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance in Phultala Upazila of Khulna district, Hasnat said public participation and institutional neutrality were essential for maintaining stability and trust in democratic processes.

He cautioned that a lack of confidence in elections could lead to heightened public dissatisfaction, urging all stakeholders to act responsibly in the lead-up to the February 12 polls.

Addressing members of law enforcement agencies, Hasnat called on them to perform their duties impartially, saying a peaceful election would benefit both the public and state institutions.

He also commented on the role of the media, stating that journalists should be able to work independently and without external pressure. According to Hasnat, some journalists have privately expressed concerns about limitations on editorial freedom, though no specific organizations were named.

Emphasizing media neutrality, he said news outlets should avoid aligning themselves with any political party and instead focus on objective reporting in the public interest.

Referring to recent political developments, Hasnat said that changes following the formation of the current government after August 5 had reshaped the media and administrative landscape, adding that public trust depended on transparency and accountability.

He also referred to past elections, saying that allegations of irregularities had weakened public confidence, and stressed that such concerns should be addressed to ensure a credible electoral outcome.

Expressing optimism, Hasnat said the upcoming vote could mark a positive step forward if conducted in a fair and inclusive manner, and again urged state institutions to uphold public confidence.

The rally was also addressed by Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and Khulna-5 constituency candidate Mia Golam Parwar, among other political leaders.

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