Citizens share hopes, concerns with CA through ‘Public Opinion Box’

As part of the nationwide vote awareness campaign for the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the accompanying referendum, ordinary citizens from across Bangladesh have shared their thoughts, aspirations and grievances with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus through a unique initiative called the “Public Opinion Box.”

Launched under the campaign slogan, “The Key to the Country is in Your Hands,” mobile outreach vehicles, known as Vote’r Gari, travelled across the country, collecting handwritten messages addressed directly to the Chief Adviser, the Press Wing of the Chief Adviser’s Office said on Tuesday.

In total, 40,206 people submitted notes highlighting a wide spectrum of concerns, ranging from personal hardships to broader social and national issues.

Citizens called for harassment-free public services, reforms in state institutions, justice for the victims of the July killings, gender equality, child safety, quality education, and a corruption-free, inclusive Bangladesh.

The messages also reflected criticism and dissatisfaction, with some expressing anger or frustration at current governance, while others offered praise and constructive suggestions.

Region-wise, Dhaka Division led the submissions with 10,216 comments, followed by Chattogram with 6,006, Sylhet 1,651, Barishal 2,124, Khulna 4,678, Rangpur 3,605, Rajshahi 5,738, and Mymensingh 1,799.

The Vote’r Gari vehicles visited 2,169 locations, including union, upazila and district headquarters, as well as remote and hard-to-reach areas, ensuring that voices from all corners of the country could be heard.

Among the messages, a note from 10-year-old Rafa from Gazipur stood out: “My suggestion is that I want to see a future Bangladesh where I can live safely within the soil and air of this country. To build such a future Bangladesh, hold elections to create policymakers.”

The initiative highlights the central role citizens are encouraged to play ahead of the 12 February election, giving them a platform to express their priorities directly to the interim government while raising awareness about the upcoming election and the national referendum.