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Bangladeshi students discusses US Election in international online Forum |
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In March, two GCE schools in Bangladesh ( Sirajuddin Sarker Vidyaniketan and British American Technology and Management Institute in Dhaka cluster) took part in a vibrant online discussion on “United States Elections and Presidential Race” hosted by IREX Washington DC. The online forum started on March 24 and run through March 28, 2008.
Michelle Austin and George Burkes jointly moderated the online forum. George Burkes has worked as a reference specialist for the US State Department in the Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP) for three-and-a-half years. Prior to working at the State Department, he worked for twelve years for the Congressional Research Service. His primary areas of expertise are US government, history, and law. Michelle Austein is a writer with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Information Programs. Michelle covers the current US presidential race for www.america.gov, the State Department’s web site for international readers interested in learning about the United States. She is also the author of www.america.gov’s U.S. Elections blog, Campaign Trail Talk.
The online forum was designed to connect secondary school students from a diverse range of countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan, with US election experts and to provide them a virtual platform to talk about the US election. The goal of the US Elections and Presidential Race online forum was to spread knowledge about the US electoral system and to gain a deeper understanding of the electoral system and the US presidential campaign
Bangladeshi GCE students actively participated in the online discussion and shared their thoughts with the guest speakers and other participants. The following are some excerpts from the online discussion:
Question:
Sirajuddin School @ Mar 28 2008, 07:10 PM
Hi, It is good to be here. I know that election of every country is not same. There is difference in age of voter, voting system, quality of candidates. Here is a question in my mind that I want to share with you that may I know what is the minimum quality of a candidate to stand for the post of president? or is there any fixed requirement for the candidate?
Nirob
British American Technology & Management Institute
Bangladesh
Answer:
Each federal elected office has different requirements, which are laid out in Articles I and II of the U.S. Constitution.
A candidate for president of the United States must be a natural-born citizen of the United States, be at least 35 years old, and have been a resident of the United States for at least 14 years. A vice president must meet the same qualifications. Under the 12th Amendment to the Constitution, the vice president cannot be from the same state as the president.
- Michelle Austein
Reference: http://gcetm.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=130&st=60
Question:
We all know that it is a season of vote in some countries like ours. Yes, we are the people of Bangladesh are also going to held election by this year. Now the process of making Identity Card for every voter is in process.
What are the preparations for voting system in USA?
Mamun
Bangladesh
Answer:
That's great to hear about the efforts in place to make sure voting in Bangladesh is fair. Preparing for elections in the United States takes a very long time, because of the many steps involved in making sure elections will be conducted freely and fairly.
While we don't have identity cards used just for voting, some states require that voters show photo identification before they vote. Every state sets its own rules for what is needed to conduct a free and fair vote - and they include tests for making sure voting machines can't be tampered.
- Michelle Austein
Reference: Location: http://gcetm.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=130&st=80
Question:
In US what is the role of students in election. Is there any? Can they participate in anykind of activities of election to make it fare/good.
Azad
Student from Bangladesh
Answer:
Students are playing a huge role in the election - perhaps more so than ever before. Many are very excited because they know this is an important election and the outcome will shape their future. Those who are at least 18 years old can vote, but those younger than 18 can still be involved in the process by campaigning, raising money for candidates, talking with their friends about political issues, and meeting political leaders. Some can also volunteer as poll workers on election day to help make sure voting is efficient and fair. Here is a great article about students (not even American students!) involved in the election: http://www.america.gov/st/elections08-engl...924746e-02.html
- Michelle Austein
Reference: http://gcetm.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=130&st=80 |
