Happy Earth Day! As millions today take action for a cleaner natural environment, The Hunger Project in Bangladesh - through the coalition it catalyzed "Shujan - Citizens for Good Governance" - took action to clean up the country's notoriously corrupt political system prior to parliamentary elections at the end of the year.

Our colleague Nasima Akhter Joly reports, "The campaign was staged simultaneously in the headquarters of 1203 Unions*, 174 Upazilas* and all 64 Districts of the country with a total participation of more than 200,000 people.  In addition, a central campaign was held in front of the National Assembly Building in the Capital City, Dhaka, where about 5,000 people of different walks of life participated."

Shujan is demanding a set of reforms designed to break the cycle of corruption and violence, including strengthening the independence of the election commission, ensuring voter lists are honest, and regulating political parties and their finances.

* Unions are the smallest political division - roughly 20,000 people; upazilas contain roughly 10 unions; and districts contain roughly 10 upazilas.