Tarique not a voter yet, but EC can allow him to register, contest election: EC secy

BNP's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is not currently registered as a voter in Bangladesh, but he may still be able to register and contest in the upcoming national election if the Election Commission (EC) chooses to allow it, said EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed today (1 December).

Speaking to reporters at the EC headquarters in Dhaka's Agargaon, he confirmed that Tarique has not yet been included in the voter list.

"He is not a registered voter as far as I know. However, if the commission decides, he may be registered later and can also contest as a candidate [in the election]. The law gives the commission this authority," Akhtar said.

Then he was asked whether the possibility of being allowed to be a voter applies only to Tarique Rahman.

In response, the EC Secretary said it can be applicable to anyone. "Why are you identifying one person individually? It could apply to you as well," he said.

He explained that under the Voter List Act, the EC can include any individual in the voter roll at any time based on its decision. Those registered up to 31 October will be eligible to vote in the upcoming parliamentary election.

He further noted that before the polls, seven types of voter information, which include name, parents' names, age, address, and photograph, cannot be changed. However, non-essential information, such as mobile phone numbers, may still be corrected.

Tarique flew to the United Kingdom in 2008 for treatment hours after his mother BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's announcement that he would stay out of politics until he recovered fully.

According to his lawyers, a total of 84 cases were filed against him over the years since then -- in many of which he was awarded different types of prison sentences.

However, since 5 August last year, following the ouster of the Awami League government in a mass uprising, Tarique has been acquitted of all these convictions.

As Tarique is now acquitted in almost all cases against him, he seemingly has no legal obstacles to returning to Bangladesh.

It was speculated in recent months that Tarique would return home in November. However, that has not happened yet.

EC Secretary Akhtar also announced that the deadline for expatriates to register for voting has been extended by one week, until 25 December.

Ahead of the national election and the national referendum, nearly 13 crore citizens have been enrolled in the voter list. The final roll was completed on 18 November, and printing work is now underway, he said.