The protest of 142 journalists and columnists did not meet the demand of organizing elections with the participation of all parties.
Hakikul Islam Khokan,

141 journalists and columnists working in various local and foreign media strongly protested that the 13th National Parliament election will be one-sided and unacceptable due to the non-participation of some parties including the banned Awami League.
In a joint statement sent to the media on Thursday, journalist and columnist Hon said that the upcoming national elections are not being truly participatory and democratic. Conducting elections by effectively banning several progressive parties, including major political parties, is contrary to the basic spirit of democracy.

According to the statement, this year’s election ballot will not reflect the public vote as the symbol of choice of half of the country’s population is missing. Such one-sided elections will create crisis instead of political and social stability. They also mentioned that there are examples of this in the past.

Journalist and columnist Gon said that an election is being organized at the expense of huge state funds, which can lead to national crisis and anarchy. Such arrangements increase unrest in the society and deepen the wounds of division.

The statement also said that the responsibility and commitment of the interim government in holding fair elections has been called into question. There are allegations of administrative favoritism towards several government-backed parties. Apart from this, allegations were made of campaigning in favor of a ‘Yes’ vote by spending money from the state exchequer.

The statement mentions that the process of formation of the Election Commission is also questionable. It is said that the commission was not formed on the basis of the opinion of all the political parties of the country and the list of persons engaged in conducting the election was according to the plan of a certain political circle.Stating that holding elections in the current state will push the country towards further uncertainty, journalists and columnists have made two demands—the immediate suspension of the questionable one-sided election process and the holding of new acceptable elections ensuring the participation of all political parties and opinions.

The statement said that a truly democratic election is possible only through national unity, dialogue and participation of all parties, which will move the country towards stability and progress.

The journalists and columnists who signed the statement are (not in order of seniority)—
1. Molla Jalal, Former President, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists
2. Syed Badrul Ahsan, senior journalist
3. Farida Yasmin, Past President, National Press Club
4. Manjrul Islam, senior journalist
5. Saban Mahmud, Former Secretary General, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists
6. Abu Zafar Surya, Former President, Dhaka Journalists Union
7. Sohel Haider Chowdhury, President, Dhaka Journalists Union
8. Mohidul Islam Raju, Former General Secretary, Dhaka Reporters Unity
9. Syed Borhan Kabir, Chief Editor, Bangla Insider
10. Sajjad Hossain Sabuj, Former Press Secretary, Washington DC
11. Ashraf Ali, Joint General Secretary, National Press Club
12. Pulak Ghatak, Former Joint Secretary General, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists
13. Aktar Hossain, General Secretary, Dhaka Journalists Union
14. Sharif Shahab Uddin, Former Editor, Bangladesh Post
15. Pranab Sarkar, President, Agartala Press Club
16. Riaz Haider Chowdhury, President, Chittagong Union of Journalists
17. Ibtesam Nasim Mou, Senior Journalist
18. Rashedul Islam Biplab, President, Journalist Union Kushtia
19. Saiduzzaman Samrat, President, Khulna Journalists Union
20. JM Rauf, President, Bogra Journalists Union
21. Ataur Rahman, President, Gazipur Union of Journalists
22. Fazlul Bari, Senior Journalist, Sydney Australia
23. Dastgir Jahangir, American expatriate journalist
24. Masuda Bhatti, Senior Journalist
25. Manik Lal Ghosh, Former Vice President, Dhaka Union of Journalists
26. Khairul Alam, Former Joint General Secretary, Dhaka Union of Journalists
27. Taimur Farooq Tushar, Editor, Bengal News24.com
28. Sheikh Jamal, Former Editor, Daily Spokesperson and Organizing Secretary,Dhaka Reporters Unity
29. Amjad Hossain Mintu, General Secretary, Bogra Journalists Union
30. Ashekunnabi Chowdhury, Former Press Minister, London
31. Saifullah Mahmood Dulal, Canadian expatriate journalist
32. Khandaker Ismail, Canadian expatriate journalist
33. Falguni Dutta, Senior Journalist, Ekushey TV
34. Sanjid Ahmed, Canadian expatriate journalist
35. Shamima Akhter, Past President, Law Reporters Forum
36. Apple Mahmood, Senior Journalist, TBN24
37. Mohammad Shamim, American expatriate journalist
38. Ruhul Amin Tuhin, Senior Journalist
39. Poet Rezaul Karim, Former Finance Secretary, Dhaka Reporters Unity
40. Golam Mujtaba Dhrub, Organizing Secretary, Dhaka Union of Journalists
41. Zakir Hossain Imon, Former President, Dhaka Sub-Editors Council
42. AKM Obaidur Rahman, Former General Secretary, Dhaka Sub-Editors Council
43. Siddiqur Rahman, Former General Secretary, Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum
44. Sajeda Parveen, Former Vice President, BSRF
45. Taufiq Maruf, Senior Journalist and Analyst
46. Zahirul Haque Tuku, senior journalist
47. Syed Anas Pasha, Senior Journalist
48. SM Abul Hossain, Senior Journalist
49. Mahbub Hasan, Senior Journalist
50. Sirajuzzaman, Canadian expatriate senior journalist
51. Bani Yasmin Hussey, Editor, Biberta24.net
52. Asadur Rahman, Law Secretary, Dhaka Journalists Union
53. Soheli Chowdhury, Treasurer, Dhaka Journalists Union
54. Jannatul Ferdous Chowdhury, Office Secretary, Dhaka Journalists Union
55. Sumi Khan, Former Women Affairs Editor, Dhaka Reporters Unity
56. Shahidul Haque Jiban, General Secretary, Television Camera Journalists Association
57. Shamima Akhter, Past President, Law Reporters Forum
58. Hira Talukder, Former Vice President, Law Reporters Forum
59. Syed Nur-e Alam, Senior Journalist, New Live in Azerbaijan
60. Sabira Islam, senior journalist
61. Rafiqul Islam Pintu, senior journalist
62. Kamrul Islam Badal, Senior Journalist, Chittagong
63. Hamid Mohammad Jasim, Member Secretary, Freedom Journalists Council
64. Shahidul Hasan Khokon, Senior Freelance Journalist
65. Rezaul Karim Reza, Former Sports and Cultural Secretary, Dhaka Journalists Union
66. Raju Hamid,Former Publicity and Publication Secretary, Dhaka Journalists Union
67. FM Shaheen, Chief Editor, Jagran TV
68. Halima Akhter, Former Executive Member, Dhaka Journalists Union
69. Farzana Shobha, Senior Journalist, Ekushe TV
70. Hakikul Islam Khokon, Senior Journalist and President, American Press Club of Bangladesh Origin
71. Sajeda Haque, Executive Member, Dhaka Journalists Union
72. Jobair Chowdhury, Former Public Welfare Secretary, Dhaka Journalists Union
73. Muhammad Mamun Sheikh, Publicity and Publication Secretary, Dhaka Journalists Union
74. Imran Hasan Tutul, Former Joint General Secretary, Jessore Union of Journalists
75. Pradeep Kumar Chowdhury, Senior Journalist
76. Shafiul Haque, former president, Bangladesh Journalists Association
77. Hosne Ara Mamata Islam, Special Correspondent, Channel I
78. Junaid Shahriar, senior journalist
79. Mainul Islam, senior journalist
80. Mushfiqur Rahman, senior journalist
81. Dr. Pradeep Roy, Editor, OTN Bangla, Melbourne Australia
82. Shatadal Talukder, Reporter, OTN Bangla, Sydney Australia
83. Surjit Biswas Suman, Reporter, OTN Bangla, Darwin Australia
84. Jharna Moni, Former Women Affairs Editor, Dhaka Reporters Unity
85. Naushad Jamil, poet and senior journalist
86. Azahar Mahmood, senior journalist
87. Shafiqul Alam Milan, Former Organizing Secretary, Bangladesh Film Journalists Association
88. Shahid Rana, Organizing Secretary, Dhaka Sub-Editors Council
89. Anwar Hossain, Former Executive Member, Dhaka Journalists Union
90. Shaheen Hasnat, Senior Journalist
91. Ishrafil Howlader, Editor, eBangla.Press
92. Sheikh Kalimullah Nayan, Senior Journalist
93. Majedul Islam Papel, former senior reporter of BTV
94. Kamrul Islam, senior journalist
95. Asaduzzaman Azam, Executive Secretary, Deshpaksha
96. Wareshunnabi Khandkar, Senior Journalist
97. Rubel Hasan, Senior Video Journalist, Jamuna Television
98. Ramzan Ali, senior journalist
99. Rahima Akhter, Senior Journalist
100. Enamul Haque Moni, Senior Journalist
101. Nashir Uddin Chowdhury, Senior Reporter, Dainik Ajker Business Bangladesh
102. Md Riaz Hossain, General Secretary, Bangladesh Press Club, Italy
103. Imranul Azim Chowdhury, senior journalist
104.Ghazi Shah Riaz, Former Vice President, Barisal Reporters Unity
105. Israfil Shaheen, General Secretary, Television Producers Association
106. Uppal Das, senior journalist
107. Asaduzzaman Asad, Former General Secretary, Thakurgaon Reporters Unity
108. Wahidur Rahman Rubel, Organizing Secretary, Cox’s Bazar Reporters Unity
109. Gazi Tushar Ahmed, Senior Journalist
110. Safiur Rahman, senior journalist
111. Haider Hossain, Editor, Muksudpur News
112. SK Reza Parvez, Former Chief Reporter, RisingBD.com
113. Ahidul Islam, senior journalist
114. Nazmul Hasan Raj, Senior Journalist, Voice of Sydney
115. SM Kamruzzaman Sagar, Senior Journalist
116. Mizanur Rahman Apu is a senior journalist
117. Chamir Mahmood, UK expatriate journalist and former General Secretary, Sylhet District Press Club
118. Hamid Mohammad, UK expatriate poet and writer
119. Md. Sajidur Rahman, former president of UK Reporters Unity
120. Jewel Raj, Editor, BricklaneNews.com
121. Prof. Apu Alam, Editor and Publisher, Bangla in Exile (France)
122. Debesh Barua, President, France Bangla Press Club
123. Sohail Majumdar Shipon, Editor and Publisher, Deshpriya News (Italy)
124. Khaled Gholam Kibria, Advisory Editor, Deshpriya News (France)
125. Comrade Khondkar, Former General Secretary, Bangladesh Press Club, Italy
126. Chalah Uddin, Editor, Spain Bangla News 24
127. Matiar Chowdhury, UK expatriate journalist
128. Sujat Mansoor, writer and journalist
129. Mohammad Mokis Mansoor, Chairman UK BD TV
130. Tawhid Fitrar Hossain, writer and columnist
131. Azizul Ambia, Daily Joy Bangla newspaper
132. Hasanat Kamal, Editor, iNews
133. MD Suez Mia, CO, Voice of Tower Hamlets, UK
134. Kamrul I Russell, Correspondent, Channel S, UK
135. Saju Lashkar, Chief Reporter, Doyle TV, Canada, 136. MA Salam Editor-in-Chief Bapnews and columnist in the United States, 137. Dr. Pradeep Taxpayer Editor NYBDNews United States, 138. Helal Mahmood Journalist and Columnist USA129..Arifur Rahman Arif Editor Baykshanbadiya2USA.com USA 140.Ayesha Akhter Ruby Editor ibnnews24.com USA and 141. Suhas Barua Hasu Editor BBN News USA, 142, KPC news media Limited.online Managing Director: Pappu Chowdhury