Environment adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Tuesday said the election scheduled for February would lay a strong foundation for democracy by strengthening accountability to people.

“The election would help solidify democracy and bring the government under public scrutiny. The journey toward building a discrimination-free and exploitation-free society, a dream yet to be fully realised, could begin from here,” she while talking to reporters after paying tributes to the martyrs at the National Memorial in Savar.

Calling the upcoming polls more than just an election, Rizwana said it would also serve as a kind of referendum where people would be able to express their views on key reform issues.

Based on that mandate, she said, the democratic journey could begin anew in a refreshed form.

She termed attempts to suppress political opponents through violence, including assassination attempts, as unfortunate, condemnable and cowardly.

“There is no heroism in such acts. If one has strength, one must face the people,” she said adding that in a democratic state, the path to the people is well known.

The adviser said the culture of targeting opponents has no place in a New Bangladesh.

She said the government would be considered successful only if it could deliver on its commitments to free and fair elections, justice and reforms.

Rizwana Hasan said the government’s goal is to ensure a peaceful and fair election so that people can vote without fear.

She said certain forces are active in trying to disrupt the process, stressing the need to counter them alongside building social resistance.