The chief adviser鈥檚 deputy press secretary, Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, on Saturday said that the government had already instructed the law enforcement agencies to improve the law and order situation ahead of the upcoming national election.
He made the comment while addressing a views-exchange meeting with government officials, journalists, and civil society members at the conference hall of the Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner鈥檚 office.
鈥楾here is no alternative to restoring order before the election. The situation will be brought under control at any cost. No one will be spared if they commit any kind of crime,鈥� Azad said.
He said that journalists would not face the kind of obstacles they had endured during the past national elections while covering the upcoming general election.
鈥榊ou will not be subjected to any harassment this time. Electoral codes of conduct will be in place, as always, and you are expected to adhere to them,鈥� he said.
He said that a designated officer would be assigned during the election period and the journalists could report to him if they faced any obstruction in the field.
Reiterating that the interim government does not hold any personal grudge or bias against anyone, he assured that necessary measures would also be taken to ensure that no journalists are harassed by any political party.
鈥楾he administration this time will remain neutral. If you observe any irregularities, report them without hesitation,鈥� he added.
Referring to the past three consecutive elections, Azad said that they had turned into mockeries in the eyes of the general public, and the current government was determined to create an atmosphere where people could freely exercise their voting rights.
Highlighting the government鈥檚 recent steps to protect press freedom, Azad said that the much-criticised Digital Security Act and the Cyber Security Act had been repealed, and all harassment cases filed against journalists had been withdrawn.
鈥楽ome previously closed media outlets have resumed publication, and several television channels are preparing to return to be aired. Not a single channel has been shut down during the interim government鈥檚 tenure鈥攔ather, more are launching,鈥� he said.
Among others, Rajshahi deputy commissioner Afia Akhter, additional deputy commissioner Mirza Amin Ahmed and chief adviser鈥檚 senior assistant press secretary Foyez Ahmmad and assistant press secretary Suchismita Tithi, were present.