<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has reminded everyone that a participatory election is not just the ruling party's responsibility.</span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"It is the duty of all political parties, including the BNP, to assist in conducting a participatory, inclusive and free election," the minister said while exchanging views with the journalists at his Chattogram residence on Friday.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"If any parties boycott the election or try to prevent it, it is their responsibility to make the election non-participatory or unacceptable," the minister added.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"We want the next government to be elected through a participatory free, fair and transparent election. In the meeting led by the general secretary of Awami League with various ambassadors of the European Union on Thursday, the issue of a free and participatory election got precedence. We have communicated that to the EU ambassadors. And others are being told the same thing. We also want all political parties including BNP to participate in the upcoming elections in the country."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Replying to a question from the reporters regarding the increased visits by foreign delegations a year before the elections, the minister said it is good to have more visitors in the country, they are showing interest in Bangladesh. "Since Bangladesh is an emerging economy, it is normal. As a result, our trade will be diversified and we will be able to sell more products," the minister added.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Regarding BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's demand for a caretaker government, Hasan Mahmud said ‘there is no caretaker government system anywhere in the world except in Pakistan. “BNP follows Pakistan, but our electoral process will be similar to that of Australia, India, the United States, and Japan. The election will be held as per the country’s constitution,” the minister said. UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>