An important meeting was held between the visiting Commonwealth Pre-Election Assessment Mission and youth and civil society representatives, where YOUCAN (Young Climate Action Network) Founder & Executive Director, Yudhishtir Chandra Biswas, joined to present youth perspectives on democratic governance, accountability, and climate justice in Bangladesh.
The mission was led by Mr. Linford Andrews, Advisor and Head of the Commonwealth Electoral Support Division, who is currently visiting Bangladesh to review the electoral environment ahead of the upcoming national elections.
Representing youth leadership, Yudhishtir emphasized the importance of inclusive and participatory democracy, highlighting the crucial role of young people in shaping a transparent and accountable electoral process. During the discussion, he formally presented YOUCAN’s “Youth Electoral Policy Recommendations”, a policy document developed through nationwide youth consultations engaging diverse voices from across Bangladesh.
Beyond electoral issues, Yudhishtir underscored the urgent need for the next government to prioritize climate resilience, environmental protection, and sustainable development. He called for national policies that reflect the realities and aspirations of young people who are facing the frontline impacts of the climate crisis, noting that youth voices must shape a governance framework that protects democracy, ensures climate justice, and secures a sustainable future.
The meeting reaffirmed YOUCAN’s continued commitment to advancing youth-driven democratic participation and policy-level advocacy to strengthen transparency, accountability, and future-focused governance in Bangladesh.
The Commonwealth delegation included Dr. Dinusha Panditaratne, Nancy Kaniago, Sarthak Roy, and Madonna Lynch. Over recent days, the mission has met with representatives from the government, the Election Commission, major political parties including BNP, Jamaat, NCP, and other key stakeholders to assess electoral preparedness and the broader political landscape.
The delegation reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s intent to deploy a strong and comprehensive observer mission during Bangladesh’s national elections, aimed at supporting transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the process.
This engagement marks another significant milestone in YOUCAN’s policy advocacy journey — reflecting our mission to empower young voices, promote democratic governance, and champion a climate-secure future for Bangladesh.
