EC to publish updated voter list on 2 March

The Election Commission (EC) will publish the final updated voter list on 2 March 2025, said Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah today (2 december).

He made the announcement while talking to journalists after the first meeting of the newly-formed EC at the Nirbachan Bhaban in Dhaka's Agargaon.

The meeting, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, was attended by commissioners Md Sanaullah, Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, Abdur Rahmanel Masud, and Tahmida Ahmad.

At the meeting, issues including updating the voter list and forming committees to oversee various EC activities were discussed.

Election Commissioner Md Sanaullah said, "The voter list is updated every January. So far, we have collected information on 17 lakh individuals, which will be incorporated into the list in January 2025, making them new voters.

"However, based on past experience, this data is often incomplete because many individuals do not complete their registration at the office."

He said, "Of these 17 lakh individuals, information on 13 lakh was collected in 2022, and the remaining 4 lakh registered at our offices this year."

The commissioner further said, "Information on individuals eligible to become voters by 1 January is finalised through hearings and other procedures between 2 January and 2 March.

"Afterwards, we will go door to door and collect voters' information. Information will be collected about those who will not be included in the voter list [prepared by 2 March] and those who will be eligible to be voters in 2026."

Sanaullah said, "By going door to door, we will be able to ensure 100% correctness based on proper and complete information. It will take approximately six months for the entire process to be completed."

He further stated, "We have made a policy decision to ensure that individuals eligible to become voters will be included in the list, whether through a special ordinance or other means, up until the election schedule is announced."

In today's meeting, the Election Commission formed four committees.

The committee on NID, voter list, election management, and information technology is headed by Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah. The committee for revising laws and regulations is led by Abdur Rahman Masud.

The committee on delimitation, preparation for national and local government elections, establishment of polling centres, and preparation and supervision of the panel of polling officers is headed by Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarker.

The committee for recruitment, promotion, administrative reform, and capacity building is headed by Tahmida Ahmad.

The interim government formed the new Election Commission on 21 November, with former secretary AMM Nasir Uddin as the CEC.

On 5 September, a month after the ouster of the Awami League government, the previous commission led by Kazi Habibul Awal resigned amid severe criticism for their controversial roles in holding elections, including the 2024 national polls.