Dhaka, Jan 11 (V7N) — Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Information and Broadcasting, has urged citizens to actively participate in the upcoming referendum, saying meaningful reforms can only be achieved through public involvement.

She made the remarks while speaking at the Citizens’ Award–2025 presentation ceremony held at DNCC Nagar Bhaban in Gulshan on Sunday morning.

“If people want reforms, they must go to the referendum,” Rizwana Hasan said, adding that citizens should vote consciously if they want to transfer the real weight of power from the state to the people.

Highlighting the role of young voters, she said the youth will constitute a major portion of voters in the 13th National Parliament election and the referendum. “There is no room for complacency just because dictatorship has ended. If we want democracy, every citizen must be aware of and exercise their rights,” she added.

She further said the people’s decision would be implemented through the upcoming referendum, emphasizing that conscious voting is essential to ensure genuine democratic governance.

Speaking at the same event, Adilur Rahman Khan, Advisor to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, said holding a referendum is necessary to prevent the return of enforced disappearances, torture, and secret detention facilities.

He added that Bangladesh will never bow to hegemony or injustice again, stressing the importance of safeguarding democratic gains.

At the ceremony, the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) honored 10 individuals and organizations with the Citizens’ Award–2025 in eight categories in recognition of their contributions to urban development.

END/SMA/AJ