Though the legal voting age in Bangladesh is currently set at 18, recent remarks by the Chief Adviser of the interim government suggesting lowering the age to 17 have sparked widespread debate in political circles. The proposal comes as preparations are underway for updating the voter list ahead of the upcoming national elections.
Despite the Election Commission’s (EC) plan to start door-to-door voter list updates from January 20, uncertainty has now arisen due to this potential change in law. The EC is concerned that if the legal age for voting is reduced during the updating process, it could create complications.
Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Maqsud commented, “If the law changes before January 20, we will start the voter list update as planned. If not, the process might be delayed by a few days.”
Following the Chief Adviser’s statement, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed concerns that the proposal could delay the election process. In contrast, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has publicly supported the reduction of the voting age to 17.
Political analysts have also raised concerns. Some believe that lowering the voting age could complicate holding the election on time, as adjustments to related laws, such as those for obtaining a driving license or marriage, may also be necessary. Munira Khan, chairperson of the Center for Governance Studies, said, “Lowering the voter age could lead to inconsistencies with other laws, making it difficult to organize the election within the intended timeframe.”
The Election Commission, however, has downplayed the complexity of the situation, stating that it is prepared to handle any changes that might arise.
Political Reactions and Reform Commissions
The interim government, formed after the recent mass uprising, has already established 15 reform commissions covering areas such as the constitution, electoral process, and judiciary. Speaking at a virtual event in Dhaka on December 27, Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus reiterated his stance on lowering the voting age. He justified the proposal by arguing that younger citizens are more inclined toward change and should have the opportunity to express their opinions through voting.
Prof. Yunus said, “Youth represent the future of the country. Their participation in shaping that future is essential. Therefore, I believe the voting age should be set at 17.”
Following this, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir raised objections, stating that determining the voting age is the responsibility of the Election Commission. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ameer expressed his support for the proposal, citing the significant contributions of young people during past movements and the mass uprising.
Voter List Update Challenges
The Election Commission is currently preparing to publish the draft voter list on January 2 and finalize it by March 2 after addressing any claims and objections. Under the current law, individuals who turn 18 by January 1, 2025, will be eligible to vote in the next election. However, if the voter age is lowered to 17, it will require amendments to both the constitution and voter list laws.
Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Maqsud acknowledged, “If the age is reduced to 17, we will include those who turn 17 by January 1, 2025, in the voter list. This requires legal amendments first.”
When asked if the EC has started preparations for such a scenario, Maqsud replied, “It’s a legal matter. If the government decides, the EC will implement it accordingly.”
How Many New Voters Could Be Added?
According to the Election Commission’s draft voter list, Bangladesh currently has 123.68 million voters, with 1.83 million new voters added in the past year. If the voting age is lowered, it is estimated that an additional 5-6 million voters could be added to the list, raising the total by around 5%.
The EC’s National ID (NID) department, citing data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), estimated that reducing the voter age to 17 could increase the voter base by 50-60 lakh (5-6 million) people. If the next national election is held under this updated list, these new voters will be eligible to vote.
With the next national election expected at the end of this year or early next year, the debate over lowering the voting age continues. While proponents argue that it would empower young people, others caution that it may delay the election and create legal inconsistencies.
