In Bangladesh, the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and ten members of her family will be unable to vote in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, scheduled for February, 2026, as their National Identity Cards (NIDs) have been locked.
The Bangladesh Election Commission’s Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed stated on Wednesday at the commission headquarters in Dhaka, that those whose NIDs are locked cannot register for out-of-country voting, including via the new postal ballot facility being introduced for expatriate Bangladeshis.
He clarified that although those abroad can vote for the first time using postal ballots, a valid, unlocked NID is essential to register. If a person’s NID is locked, they cannot complete the online registration, and hence cannot vote from abroad.
The NID locking happened earlier, in April of this year, under directions from the National Identity Registration Wing of the EC. The move has since raised debate among political parties and rights groups about voting rights and electoral fairness.
However, EC officials said that those with locked NIDs are not prevented from voting in person in Bangladesh. The restriction only applies where an NID is required for registration or for postal / overseas voting.
Among those affected are Hasina herself, her sister Sheikh Rehana, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, nieces Tulip Rizwana Siddique and Azmina Siddique, nephew Radwan Mujib Siddicee, and other family members.
Observers point out that this development comes amid a period of intense political polarization. Barring prominent opposition figures from voting could intensify tensions as Bangladesh heads into its next general election.
