Citizens' Platform urges political parties not to misuse youths during polls campaign

A citizens’ platform urged the political parties on Monday to refrain from misusing the country's youths during election campaign.
Citizens' Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh also requested the politicians to reflect youths' aspirations in campaign ahead of election ensuring their rights to vote.
The appeal came at a media briefing, held at the CIRDAP auditorium, to apprise newsmen of the recently held 'Youth conference 2018: Bangladesh and agenda 2030 - aspirations of the youth'.
Convener of the platform and Distinguished Fellow of Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, another Distinguished Fellow of the think tank Professor Mustafizur Rahman and former president of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) Asif Ibrahim attended the briefing, among others.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya said one third of the country's total existing voters are young people, of which two-third are new voters.
"Youths' opinion will play a vital role in the coming election, so ensuring their voting rights is crucial," he said.
He also presented a six-point demand made by youths during the recently held conference.
The demands include organising discussion between youths and political parties to consider their opinions, highlighting their rights in election manifestos, and promoting them in election campaign.
They also demanded young peoples' participation in poll monitoring activities with a view to ensuring citizens' right to vote.
Regarding post election situation, the platform also demanded inclusion of youths' aspirations in new government's working plan, and their meaningful participation in different policies and development activities meant for them.
Dr Debapriya said around two thousand youths from various regions of the country took part in the conference held at the city's Krishibid Institution auditorium on October 14.
He also said youths at the conference raised their voices in various issues including quality education, employment, recruitment on the basis of merit, flourishing their innovative capacity, ensuing rights of underprivileged communities, resistance to extremism and preventing drug addiction.
The noted economist also said young people's participation in the country's development progress is associated with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) number 16.
In his speech, Mr Asif Ibrahim said the present young people will lead the nation in coming years.
"But one-third of the country's people are young aged between 18-35 years, of which majority are still unemployed, he said.
He underscored the need for proper use of information technology (IT) and innovation by the youngsters to generate employment opportunities.
He also said young entrepreneurs should get priorities in establishing their businesses in special economic zones (SEZ).
Professor Mustafizur Rahman said youths from various communities including marginal and Dalit communities contribute to the national economy by various means, however many of them are being deprived of their rights.

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