Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Shafiqul Alam, on Friday said that a level playing field for the upcoming election has been maintained so far, noting that the overall electoral environment remains conducive.

He made the remarks on Friday after visiting Shiv Bari Temple in Mymensingh.

“Although one or two people have raised concerns about the level playing field, so far there is equal opportunity for both large and small parties. Nothing visible has happened that would indicate the absence of a level playing field,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Shafiqul Alam visited the shrine of Bura Pir on Jubilee Road in Mymensingh city and the shrine of Hazrat Shah Sufi Syed Kalu Shah (RA) at Thana Ghat area, which had recently come under attack.

Speaking after the visits, the press secretary said Bangladesh is a land of pirs and saints, through whom Islam spread in the region.
“Some people are attacking shrines on various pretexts. Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony, a homeland for people of all religions and communities. We want everyone to live together peacefully,” he said.

On shrine security, he said police morale has improved compared to before and security at shrines has been strengthened.“People are also becoming more aware,” he added.

Referring to the upcoming election, the press secretary said the government wants people to go to polling centres collectively and vote ‘yes’ in the referendum.
“We do not want fascism to emerge again in Bangladesh. We want the rights of all citizens to be protected and never want to see the misrule of the past return,” he said.

He also addressed concerns raised over the declaration of national mourning following the death of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia.
“A national mourning was declared after Begum Khaleda Zia’s death and many people signed the condolence books. Seeing this, a few individuals questioned the level playing field,” he noted.
During the visit, Divisional Commissioner of Mymensingh Farah Shammi, senior district and police officials and leaders of the shrine and temple committees were present.