Speakers at Youth Voice Round Table: Participation of young voters is necessary for acceptable elections

A round table discussion was held on the political awareness of the young generation, the upcoming elections and the challenges of the digital reality. The discussion was organized by Youth Voice of Bangladesh from Wednesday afternoon to night at the Zilla Parishad Auditorium, Chattogram.

The title of the round table discussion was 'Young Generation, Elections and Digital Challenges'. A total of 150 students and media workers, researchers, political analysts and young leaders from various universities of the country participated in it, and a total of 24 speakers participated. The speakers in the discussion were selected based on four specific categories: Governance and Public Service, Education and Academia, Law and Judiciary, and Media and Journalism.

Mayor of Chittagong City Corporation Dr. participated in the Governance and Public Service category. Shahadat Hossain, Politics, International Relations and Security Analyst Major (Retd) Rezaul Karim, Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry Director Baby Hassan and Nari Oikya Bangladesh (NOBA) Founding President Jesmina Khanam participated in the discussion in this category.

The Education and Academia category included East Delta University Founder Saeed Al Noman, Port City International University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Tayyab Chowdhury, BGC Trust University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Manjurul Kibria, National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam University Treasurer Professor Dr. Zainul Abedin Siddiqui and Chittagong Independent University Board of Trustees Member Dilruba Ahmed.

Deputy Attorney General Barrister Mohammad Osman Chowdhury, Chittagong District Bar Association President Advocate Md. Abdus Sattar, General Secretary Advocate Hasan Ali Chowdhury, former president Advocate Nazim Uddin Chowdhury, Anti-Corruption Commission Public Prosecutor Advocate Rezaul Karim Rony, Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Special Public Prosecutor Advocate Saiful Abedin, Additional Public Prosecutor Advocate Eshadur Rahman Ritu and young politician and lawyer Barrister Faisal Dastagir participated in the Law and Justice category. Poet and political analyst Rezaul Karim Rony, Daily Ittefaq's Chittagong Bureau Chief Salauddin Md. participated in the Media and Journalism category. Reza, investigative journalist and documentary filmmaker Keramat Ullah Biplob, Chittagong Bureau Chief of Ajker Patrika and General Secretary of Chittagong Journalists Union Sabur Shuvo, Advisory Editor and Publisher of Chittagong Pratidin Ayan Sharma and News Head of CTG Post Ishaat Mannan participated in the discussion in this category.

The discussion had an in-depth and analytical discussion on the role of youth in the current and future electoral process, misuse of artificial intelligence, deepfakes, fake information and the impact of propaganda spread on social media. The program was presided over by Barrister Tarek Akbar Khondaker, Chairman of Youth Voice of Bangladesh.

In his speech, the president cited the example of the Arab Spring and said that during the period 2010-2011, social media-based mass movements led to the fall of governments in several countries including Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen, which is a real example of the powerful impact of digital media. He also said that currently a large number of new young voters have joined the country. Their active participation is very important for a free, fair and acceptable election. He urged new voters to exercise their right to vote by attending the polling stations. At the same time, advising them to be careful about misleading and fake information spread on social media, he said that nothing should be believed without verifying the information.

The discussion highlighted the issues of increasing awareness of the youth about their right to vote, improving digital literacy, ethical use of technology and strategies to deal with rumors and misleading information. The speakers said that a fair and acceptable election is not possible without accurate information and conscious participation. The organizers said that the main goal of this round table discussion was to strengthen democratic values ​​among the young society and play a positive role in building a responsible and just future.