The Election Commission (EC) is set to publish the final voter list on 31 August ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
A letter, signed by EC Senior Assistant Secretary Md Nasir Uddin Chowdhury on Thursday, has been dispatched to all Upazila and Thana election officers and registration officers outlining the schedule for the publication of the draft list, disposal of claims and objections, and the finalisation of the list.
According to the letter, the voter list is being updated for various local government elections. In accordance with the Voter List Act, 2009, the Commission has set 31 July 2008 as the date for attaining voter eligibility.
Consequently, individuals born on or before 31 July 2008, who have registered or will register as voters by 31 July 2026, will be included in the updated list.
As per the announced schedule, the preparation of the draft voter list in PDF format and its delivery to the relevant registration officers must be completed by 4 August. The draft voter list will be officially published on 9 August.
Citizens may submit applications for claims, objections, and corrections until 24 August. The deadline for the disposal of these applications is 27 August, with the final decisions to be incorporated into the list by 28 August. The final voter list will then be published on 31 August.
The EC has directed that the draft voter list be kept open for public inspection. To ensure public awareness, announcements regarding the submission of correction applications must be made at mosques, temples, and other religious institutions by Imams and priests before or after prayers.
Besides, the matter must be publicised through local journalists and cable operators in the public interest.
The commission has also issued instructions to take necessary measures to rectify any errors in the printed draft, such as the inclusion of female voters in male lists, male voters in female lists, religion-related mistakes, or any other discrepancies.
According to the latest voter list update, the total number of voters in the country stands at 12,83,23,240. This figure includes 6,52,12,731 male voters, 6,31,09,266 female voters, and 1,243 Hijra voters.
