Tarique Rahman Completes Voter Registration After 17 Years Abroad

Post by : Mina Rahman

Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has successfully completed the necessary steps to register as a voter and secure his National Identity (NID) card in Dhaka. This significant event follows his return to the country after spending over 17 years in self-imposed exile in London.

The 60-year-old political figure visited the Election Commission office to undergo biometric enrollment, which included fingerprinting and iris scanning, all under heightened security measures. His daughter, Zaima Rahman, also registered on the same day.

Prior to this visit, Rahman submitted an online application for voter registration. Officials from the Election Commission confirmed that he would receive his NID card within 24 hours after completing the biometric procedures.

Bangladesh began using a voter list with photographs and biometric data in 2008, initiated during a military-backed caretaker government following the 2007-2008 political crisis. At that time, Rahman was imprisoned; thus, he was excluded from this updated voter registry.

With the general elections scheduled for February 12, 2026, Rahman plans to contest from his ancestral constituency, Bogura Sadar (Bogura-6). BNP leaders had already obtained his nomination papers earlier this month.

However, the ruling Awami League has raised questions regarding the legitimacy of his recent voter registration, arguing that the final voters’ list had already been finalized. They have expressed concern about the timing of his registration that took place on a government holiday and alleged procedural violations regarding his inclusion.

Despite these challenges, Election Commission officials assert that under the law, any eligible citizen is permitted to register as a voter at any time before the elections.

Security forces, including the Bangladesh Army, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Ansar, and police were present to ensure a secure atmosphere during Rahman’s registration process.

Tarique Rahman’s re-entry into active political life and registration as a voter signify a pivotal shift as Bangladesh gears up for its next national election.