Sylhet, Jan. 4 -- Adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Saturday called for confronting autocratic forces through the upcoming national election, saying defeated forces are still active but far weaker than those behind the uprising.

She made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of an election-focused training workshop for journalists at the Sylhet Press Club in the morning. The workshop was organised by the Bangladesh Press Institute (PIB).

Syeda Rizwana urged people to participate spontaneously in the February 12 parliamentary election and referendum, stressing that the current government is determined to hold the polls despite various challenges.

"The defeated forc...