No campaign to motivate public about referendum

For lack of awareness move from political parties and the administration, the general public looks indifferent about the issue

OUR CORRESPONDENT | Published: January 29, 2026 00:48:58

GAIBANDHA, Jan 28: There has not yet been launched any formal campaign in the Char areas of Gaibandha district to help the public understand the upcoming 2026 referendum, its purpose, and what a "Yes" vote signifies.
Awareness about the referendum is very limited, especially among the people of the Char area near the Brahmaputra River.
Many actually do not know when the referendum will be held, what it will be about, or what their role is.
Although posters, banners, or awareness programmes related to the referendum were seen in some places while visiting the main roads, markets, and other public places of Fulchhari upazila, the picture of the Char area is completely different.
Since effective awareness initiatives from political parties, social organisations, and the upazila administration are not visible, the general public in the Char area has not developed interest about the issue.
A survey conducted in the Char areas of Erendabari, Fazlupur and Fulchhari unions of Fulchhari upazila has shown that although many people are familiar with the term referendum, they do not have a clear idea about its purpose and process.
Some are confusing it with the general election, while many say they have not heard anything about it.
??Farmer Abdul Hai, a resident of Harichandi area, said, "I know about voting, but no one has come to explain what a referendum is and when it will be held." Haran Sheikh, a fisherman in Khatiamari area, said, "We have to stay in the river for a long time for our livelihood, so such information doesn't' reaches us." Inhabitants of other Char areas have made similar comments.
According to local informed people, the administration should have been more proactive earlier, considering the geographical isolation and communication problems of the Char areas.
Since the literacy rate in these areas is comparatively low, they feel that it is necessary to conduct direct campaigns through yard meetings and loudspeaker announcement by volunteers.
Meanwhile, as part of the campaign for a 'Yes' vote in the referendum, Zahid Hasan Jiban has been nominated as the 'ambassador' of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in Gaibandha-5 (Saghata-Phulchhari) constituency.
He said that he would work to raise public awareness about the referendum as per the central directive.
In this regard, Zahid Hasan Jiban said, "The referendum is an important democratic process. I want to work in the field so that people understand the issue correctly and participate consciously. My main priority is to highlight the importance of the referendum, especially to the people of the char areas."
He said, "Only the active participation of the people can make the referendum meaningful." He also called on all political parties and the administration to carry out campaign on this issue.
Locals complain that as time passes, the lack of effective initiatives is becoming more and more obvious. If strong steps are not taken now, a large population of the char areas may remain isolated from the referendum process, they fear.
?Despite the significance of referendum as an important part of good governance and democratic practice, its impact has not yet been seen in Fulchhari.
Locals have demanded more active and coordinated initiatives from all parties concerned, including the administration, to involve the people of the Char areas.