Youth must be aware of voting rights: Speakers at Chattogram roundtable
They said young people had long been deprived of their right to vote, leading to the formation of what they described as a “kangaroo parliament” that passed anti-people laws and failed to safeguard national interests.
Speakers at a roundtable discussion in Chattogram today (4 February) stressed that the younger generation must understand the significance of the country's prolonged 16-year political struggle and actively exercise their voting rights in the upcoming national election.
They said young people had long been deprived of their right to vote, leading to the formation of what they described as a "kangaroo parliament" that passed anti-people laws and failed to safeguard national interests.
The discussion, titled "Youth, Elections and Digital Challenges," was held in the evening at the Zila Parishad Auditorium in Chattogram city. It was organised by Youth Voice of Bangladesh and focused on youth political awareness, electoral participation, and emerging challenges in the digital era.
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The roundtable was chaired by Barrister Tareque Akbar Khondakar, chairman of Youth Voice of Bangladesh. A total of 24 speakers from governance, academia, law, media and civil society participated, alongside around 150 students from universities across the country.
Speaking under the Governance and Public Service segment, Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Shahadat Hossain said young voters must be made aware of why the struggle of the past 16 years took place.
"People's voting rights were taken away, and young voters have not been able to exercise their franchise. Laws such as the ICT Act were enacted, and around Tk90,000 crore was siphoned off through quick rental power projects," he said.
He noted that nearly five crore young voters will participate in the upcoming election, making them a decisive force in shaping the country's future leadership.
Under the Education and Academia segment, Sayeed Al Noman, founder of East Delta University and BNP candidate for Chattogram-10, said proper utilisation of youth intellect, innovation and patriotism could transform Chattogram into a planned and developed city.
He also urged young voters to resist misinformation and rumours on social media to help ensure a fair election.
Legal experts speaking in the Law and Judiciary segment highlighted the need to enhance youth awareness of voting rights, improve digital literacy, and counter misinformation and unethical use of technology. They said informed participation is essential for a free and credible election.
In the Media and Journalism segment, poet and political analyst Rezaul Karim Roni said young people now live simultaneously in real and virtual worlds, noting how digital disruptions during past movements shaped perceptions but failed to weaken youth resilience.
The discussion also addressed challenges posed by artificial intelligence, deepfakes, online propaganda and misinformation, with speakers calling for stronger digital awareness and ethical engagement.
In his closing remarks, Barrister Tareque Akbar Khondakar referred to the Arab Spring as an example of how digital platforms can influence political movements, stressing that newly registered young voters must play an active role in ensuring a free, fair and credible election.
He urged first-time voters to go to polling centres and verify information before sharing content online.
Organisers said the roundtable aimed to strengthen democratic values among young people and contribute to building a responsible, informed and future-oriented society.
