Level playing field ensured, election environment satisfactory: Press Secretary

Press Secretary to the chief adviser Shafiqul Alam said the government has taken all necessary measures to ensure a level playing field for all political parties in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election.

He made the remarks while speaking to journalists after visiting the Shibbari temple in Mymensingh city and exchanging greetings with members of the Sanatan community on Friday, January 9, in the afternoon.

The press secretary said the election environment has been very good so far, with equal opportunities for both small and large parties. He added that although one or two people have raised concerns about the level playing field, there has been no visible incident on the ground to suggest that the environment has been compromised.

Referring to Bangladesh as a land of pirs and saints, Shafiqul Alam said the message of peace in Islam spread in this region through pirs and dervishes. He described recent attacks on shrines on various pretexts as extremely unfortunate and condemnable.

He also said Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony, where people of all religions and ethnicities have long lived together peacefully, adding that preserving this tradition is everyone’s expectation.

Earlier in the morning, he visited the shrine and adjoining ghat area of Hazrat Shah Sufi Syed Kalu Shah, in the Bura Pir area on Jubilee Road in the city.

Regarding the security of shrines, the press secretary said the morale of law enforcement agencies has increased and security at religious establishments is being further strengthened. He added that public awareness is also rising.