Dhaka, Sept 18 – Over 400 political leaders from Bangladesh Awami League (AL) and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) came on one platform in Dhaka Monday to pledge for nonviolent and peaceful elections. The atmosphere was festive at the national launch of the Shantite Bijoy (Win with Peace) campaign with enthusiastic participation by the grassroots and central political leaders. The program was held at Bangabandhu International Convention Centre (BICC).
At the launch, political leaders from 40 districts, including senior district leaders of Awami League and BNP, stood with their central leadership in support of peace and harmony and together vowed against violence. In addition to the Political Advisor to the Prime Minister HT Imam and BNP’s Standing Committee member, Dr Moyeen Khan, the U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat and British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Alison Blake spoke at the event.
In his remarks, Bangladesh Awami League’s advisor HT Imam said, “The government is always sincere in establishing a democratic, peaceful, and ideal Bangladesh. For peaceful elections in the future, everybody should refrain from false propaganda, and cease spreading hatred.”
Dr Moyeen Khan said, “Today’s event is unique because we have leaders from all major political parties from across Bangladesh in the same room. We want a peaceful election as well as a peaceful environment for the national election. But peace requires social and political justice.”
In her remarks, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Alison Blake said, ‘The people of Bangladesh believe that peaceful elections and politics will lead to a brighter future for everyone in Bangladesh. We have all come together here today because we share that hope.’
In her remarks at the event, U.S. Ambassador Marcia Bernicat said, “Today’s event is the result of a great partnership between the U.S. Government, British Government – and all of YOU – our Bangladeshi partners. It is the will, the ambition for growth and progress that unites all of us.”
With the national elections approaching, the Win with Peace campaign will engage and raise awareness among registered political parties, candidates, and citizens in Bangladesh on the importance of peaceful elections and tolerant politics. The campaign is providing the 16 crore people of Bangladesh with a platform to raise their voice to demand peace, harmony, and tolerant politics.
The campaign is bringing together political leaders and citizens of Bangladesh in peace rallies, face to face dialogues with candidates, roundtable meetings, and workshops across Bangladesh.
The Win with Peace campaign is implemented under Strengthening Political Landscape (SPL) project implemented by Democracy International and co-funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (UK Aid). – Press release
