Jhinaidah, Broadcasting News Corporation: Advisor on Social Welfare and Women & Children Sharmin S. Murshid said that there is no alternative to a referendum for reform. She stated that this reform is essential to establish the rule of law by stopping abductions, murders, and night-time voting.

She made these remarks during the keynote speech at an exchange meeting aimed at promoting the referendum and encouraging voters, held on Tuesday (January 20, 2026) at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference room, organized by the Jhinaidah District Administration.

The advisor said that to ensure free, fair, and impartial elections, the referendum campaign must work at the grassroots level, especially to convey the ‘Yes’ vote message to 52 percent of the women in the country, in their regional languages, involving not only the government but also all stakeholders and NGO foundation workers in society. She also stated that ensuring safe and dignified participation of women, children, the disabled, and people from all levels of society is our constitutional and moral responsibility.
Sharmin S. Murshid said that the Ministry of Social Welfare and the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs are playing an active role in ensuring that Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary elections and the 2026 referendum are conducted smoothly, freely, and participatively. She stated that during the elections and referendum, the ministries are coordinating their activities to ensure the voting rights of vulnerable and special-needs groups in society, safe participation of women voters, assistance to the disabled, elderly, and underprivileged citizens, and overall social security. The adviser mentioned that a plan has been made to send SMSs through a digital and mobile campaign with the slogan ‘Vote in the referendum, participate in nation-building’ to nearly 13 million social security allowance mobile subscribers across the country. Additionally, disabled individuals are being provided with awareness briefs and information on the referendum from 100 service and assistance centers. Some 72,000 registered volunteer organizations and over 4,000 orphanages that have received caption grants have been directly involved in this awareness campaignNot just in July-August, over the past 16 years, many people have lost their lives, and countless families have gone through extreme suffering. It is in exchange for this sacrifice that we hold our current position today.

At the meeting, Jhinaidah District Commissioner Md. Abdullah Al Masud, officials from various government and non-government organizations at the district level, local representatives, July fighters, NGO and media personnel were present.

Later in the afternoon, the advisor participated as the chief guest in an exchange meeting at the Chuadanga District Commissioner’s conference hall, aimed at promoting the public vote and encouraging voters. At this time, District Commissioner Mohammad Kamal Hossain, leaders of various political parties, officials from government and non-government organizations, and media personnel were present.