Voter list update: EC's message slips to reache households

The nationwide voter list update program has started with data collectors visiting households, and notifications being sent via mobile text messages. Despite these efforts, most people in Bogura remain unaware of the program. Even after a week since its launch, the process has yet to fully gain momentum in the district.

According to the Election Commission (EC), the voter list update program started on January 20, 2025. Data collection is ongoing, focusing on individuals born on or before January 1, 2008.

Election officials claim that they are collecting data by visiting every household and that upazila election officials are monitoring the process.

However, many residents remain unaware of the program. Sagar Mondal, a resident of Bholagari village in Erulia Union, Bogura Sadar, stated that he was unaware of the voter list update and that no one from the election office had visited his home yet.

Similarly, Rahat Pramanik from Shikarpur village, Erulia Union, expressed the same concern.

Khalilur Rahman, a resident of Mofiz Paglar Mor in Bogura city, mentioned that he did not know whether the voter list update was happening. He recalled that two or three days ago, someone from the election office visited his area but only inquired about whether it was a residential neighborhood. No one had returned after that.

In contrast, Belal Hossain, a resident of Helenchapara village, Shahjahanpur Upazila, stated that a data collector from the election office visited his home four to five days ago and collected information. However, after that, the data collector set up a collection point in the village and sent messages to residents to visit him and submit their information.

Meanwhile, a week after launching the voter list update program, the EC issued a new directive. New or omitted voters who have applied online were instructed to download and provide a copy of their application to the data collector.

This information was shared in a notice issued on January 28, 2025, signed by Md. Shariful Alam, Director (Public Relations) of the Election Commission Secretariat.

To understand the situation, at least 50 residents from Bogura Sadar, Sherpur, Shahjahanpur, Gabtali, and Shibganj upazilas were interviewed. Many admitted they were unaware of the voter list update. Some only learned about it when data collectors arrived in their areas. While the EC had sent text messages about the program, most recipients did not notice or read them. Additionally, they were unfamiliar with the requirement to submit copies of online applications for voter registration.

Md. Fazlul Karim, Senior District Election Officer of Bogura, stated that, as per protocol, data is being collected door-to-door. However, some data collectors set up collection points in courtyards and ask nearby residents to come and provide their information.

He added that voter data is being gathered upazila-wise. If the update process has not yet started in certain areas, the responsible election officials for those regions would have the exact details.