FROM PAGE 12

Imams and religious leaders will be involved in awareness efforts through mosques, temples and churches across the country, and leaflets are being printed and will be distributed nationwide.

The government will expand its voter awareness campaign using election caravans. Currently, 10 caravan teams are operating, each consisting of 10 vehicles.

The number will be increased to 20 so that the campaign can reach all 495 upazilas, including remote and island areas such as Bhola.

The caravans will operate until January 31.

Regarding postal ballots, Shafiqul said that 1,533,682 signed up to cast their votes in this method before registration closes on Wednesday.

Of these, 761,140 are from inside the country, most of whom are involved in election duties and would not be able to vote in their respective centres. Another 772,542 registrants are non-resident Bangladeshis.

“This is the first time we are doing this, and the response has been unprecedented. Many countries are closely watching how our diaspora voting model works.”

Postal ballots will be available once the final list of candidates is published, starting from January 21, he added.

Asked about the murder of Rana Pratap Bairagi, the acting editor of Dainik BD Khobor, in Jashore on Tuesday, Foyez Ahammad, senior assistant press secretary, said police have found no link between the incident and journalism or politics.

“The victim was previously accused in a murder case and was involved in extremist politics. The killing is believed to be linked to internal factional rivalry and investigations are ongoing.”