'Yes' vote campaign a collective duty for state: Health Adviser

Health and Family Welfare Adviser Nurjahan Begum has said campaigning in favour of ‘Yes’ in the referendum is a collective obligation, fard-e-kifayah, for the state.

She made the remarks while responding to journalists after a discussion meeting on the referendum with district and divisional health officials in Sylhet on January 16.

Nurjahan Begum said there is no need to explain complex issues such as constitutional structures or upper and lower houses to the public. Instead, the focus should be on explaining simply how the referendum will affect citizens’ daily lives and building public opinion in favour of ‘Yes’.

She added that those who do not want elections will try their utmost to obstruct the process. The more people are engaged, the more anti-election and harmful forces will be defeated.

Earlier, at the meeting with health officials, the adviser instructed all officials of the health department to actively campaign for ‘Yes’ in the referendum. She also suggested involving non-government organisations alongside government offices in the campaign.

The meeting was chaired by district administration officials, with Health and Family Welfare Ministry secretary Md Saidur Rahman and health officials from Sylhet district and division present.