The Election Commission (EC) has announced that the total number of voters in Bangladesh now stands at 12 crore 61 lakh 70 thousand 900 following the latest update to the voter list.
Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed shared the updated figures with journalists at the EC headquarters on Sunday. The nationwide voter roll update was published simultaneously at all election offices.
Previously, the voter count stood at 12 crore 37 lakh 32 thousand 274. Through the latest update drive, officials included 45 lakh 71 thousand 216 new voters after a door-to-door campaign, while 21 lakh 32 thousand 590 deceased voters were removed from the list.
“This year, the EC will publish three separate voter lists,” Ahmed said. “The first was released on March 2. The second list will be released on August 31, and another on October 31 for those turning 18 before that date.”
Names appearing in the draft list can be corrected within 12 days– until August 21. Applications will be resolved by August 24, after which the final list will be published on August 31.
The voter list update comes as Bangladesh prepares for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections, expected in the first half of February next year, before Ramadan.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said the election schedule may be announced in early December, two months prior to the vote.
He emphasised that the EC will ensure a free, fair, and acceptable election, with law enforcement on high alert to prevent unrest.
“If any untoward incident occurs, voting will be halted in that area pending investigation,” he said, adding that the Commission is carefully assessing officials who will be deployed for polling duties.
The CEC also noted that restoring public trust in the electoral process is a key challenge, citing voter apathy and mistrust in recent years.
“Misuse of artificial intelligence has become a bigger challenge than weapons,” he said. “We do not see trained journalists as a problem, but unverified social media reporting can mislead the public.”
