Tarique Rahman Makes Voter Registration Comeback After 17 Years

Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has successfully finished the voter registration and National Identity (NID) card process in Dhaka. This achievement follows just two days after his return to Bangladesh from a self-imposed exile in London lasting over 17 years.

The 60-year-old leader visited the Election Commission to complete biometric enrollment, which included fingerprint and iris scans. The check was done under stringent security measures. On the same day, his daughter, Zaima Rahman, also completed her voter registration.

Before this visit, Tarique Rahman had already submitted his voter registration application online. Election Commission officials confirmed he would receive his NID card within 24 hours of finishing the biometric steps.

Bangladesh introduced a voter list incorporating photographs and biometric data in 2008, initiated by a military-backed caretaker government after the political turmoil of 2007-2008. At that time, Tarique Rahman was imprisoned and subsequently left the country, which barred him from being part of the new voter list.

The general elections, scheduled for February 12, 2026, will have Tarique Rahman running from his family district, Bogura Sadar (Bogura-6). BNP leaders had already acquired his nomination papers earlier this month.

However, the ruling Awami League has expressed doubts regarding the validity of his recent voter registration, citing that the final voter list had already been established and voicing concerns over the timing, which coincided with a government holiday. The party has raised allegations of procedural infringements regarding his addition to the voter list.

Despite these challenges, officials from the Election Commission have reaffirmed that the law permits any eligible citizen to register as a voter prior to elections.

Enhanced security protocols were notably enforced around the Election Commission during Tarique Rahman’s voter registration. Forces from the Bangladesh Army, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Ansar, and police secured the area to maintain a safe and orderly process.

Tarique Rahman’s active engagement in politics and his registration as a voter signify a crucial moment for Bangladesh as the nation gears up for its forthcoming national elections.