Voters reassured as multi-party street rallies promote peaceful election

Senior leaders and representatives of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), National Citizen Party (NCP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Gonosanghati Andolon and Gonoforum have jointly taken to the streets in Mymensingh to deliver a unified message to voters – that electoral competition ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election will be peaceful, restrained and responsible.

The multi-party street campaign is being viewed as a timely initiative to reassure voters amid growing concerns surrounding electoral politics. The four-day peace and harmony campaign has been organised by the Multi-Party Advocacy Forum (MAF) – Mymensingh, Harmony Team – Mymensingh and Democracy International.

Since October, MAF Mymensingh has been engaging in continuous dialogue with all political parties, placing citizens' expectations for a peaceful election before senior leaders and bringing them together through a series of joint discussions. The ongoing street campaign is an extension of this sustained dialogue process.

In the context of recent public anxiety and uncertainty surrounding electoral politics in Mymensingh, bringing senior leaders and candidates from parties with differing political positions onto a single platform and directly before voters is seen as a significant initiative. Through this effort, MAF has demonstrated that multi-party coordination remains possible even in a tense environment – provided there is sustained dialogue, mutual trust and citizen engagement.

Voters across Mymensingh's 11 parliamentary constituencies share a common expectation: political competition should continue, but not at the cost of citizen safety or social stability. Through these street rallies, political parties aim to reassure grassroots voters that the electoral process will remain peaceful and tolerant.

The multi-party initiative began on 22 January with an inaugural street rally in Mymensingh-4 (Sadar) constituency. At the event, citizens' concerns and expectations were articulated, while participating political parties and candidates publicly pledged to uphold peaceful electoral conduct. The campaign will continue on 25 January in Mymensingh-1, 2 and 3; on 26 January in Mymensingh-8, 9, 10 and 11; and on 27 January in Mymensingh-5, 6, 7 and 4.

Candidates participating in the rallies include Abu Wahab Akand from BNP, Md Kamrul Ahsan Imrul from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Mustafizur Rahman Rajib from Gonosanghati Andolon, Md Liaquat Ali from Bangladesh Supreme Party, Professor Dr Md Nasir Uddin from Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Md Hamidul Islam from the National People's Party and Emdadul Haque Millat from the Communist Party of Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, representatives of the National Citizen Party, Gono Odhikar Parishad and Gonoforum are participating in the rallies without fielding candidates, joining the campaign as members of the Multi-Party Advocacy Forum to promote the message of peace.

Candidates and party representatives reiterated their joint commitment to promoting peace regardless of political affiliation, conducting election campaigns peacefully, respecting dissenting views and refraining from violence and provocation. They also pledged to ensure voter safety, build a peaceful and harmonious Mymensingh and play a responsible role in serving public interests. Their unified declaration was clear: 'No violence – peace is our commitment.'

According to the organisers, the core strength of the initiative lies in leaders from multiple political parties taking to the streets together to demonstrate their shared commitment to peaceful elections – an approach that strengthens voter confidence and fosters a conducive electoral environment. Through this multi-party campaign, participating political parties have jointly reaffirmed their stance against violent politics, in favour of peaceful elections, respect for differing views and the protection of citizens' safety and rights.