Sheikh Hasina, family members will not be able to cast votes: EC Secretary

Sheikh Hasina and her family members will not be able to cast votes in the upcoming 13th National Parliament elections as their National Identity Cards (NIDs) remain locked, Election Commission (EC) Secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed on Wednesday (September 17).

Responding to questions from reporters at the EC office, the secretary said, “Those whose NIDs are locked cannot register as voters online. As a result, they will not be able to vote while abroad.”

In April this year, the NID wing of the EC, under the instruction of its Director General ASM Humayun Kabir, locked the NIDs of Sheikh Hasina and 10 of her family members. The list includes Sheikh Rehana Siddique, Sheikh Hasina, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Saima Wazed, Shahin Siddique, Bushra Siddique, Tulip Rizwana Siddique, Azmina Siddique, Radwan Mujib Siddique, and Tariq Ahmed Siddique.

The EC secretary added that a new online registration system is being developed for expatriate voters, where NID will be mandatory for registration. “Passport alone will not suffice. Those with locked NIDs will not be able to register in any way,” he said.

He clarified that individuals abroad for legal or other reasons may still vote, provided their NIDs remain active.

Sheikh Hasina left Bangladesh for India on August 5 last year following a mass July uprising. Many senior Awami League leaders are also currently abroad. While the government has banned party activities, the voting rights of party leaders and activists remain valid—except for those whose NIDs are locked, according to the EC.