Dhaka, Sunday, January 4, 2026 – Bangladesh’s Election Commission has formed a 10-member committee to handle the removal of deceased voters from the electoral roll throughout the year. The panel, led by the director general of the National Identity Registration Wing, follows an office order to streamline the process beyond periodic updates.
This initiative enhances electoral integrity in Bangladesh. Accurate voter lists prevent irregularities and ensure fair representation. It addresses longstanding concerns over outdated records in a nation with over 120 million registered voters.
Election Commission Committee: Structure and Mandate
The Election Commission committee includes 10 members. It operates under the directive signed by Md Nasir Uddin Chowdhury, senior assistant secretary of the EC’s Election Support Branch.
The committee’s primary task involves verifying and removing deceased voters from the electoral roll in Bangladesh. Applications for deletions can now be submitted at any time, not just during scheduled drives.
Officials state this change responds to practical needs. Families often report deaths outside update cycles. The new system enables prompt action through local election offices by using Form-12.
Voter List Update: Recent Developments
A major voter list update occurred in 2025. The Election Commission removed approximately 2.1 million deceased voters during a door-to-door campaign.
Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin announced the figures in September 2025. He said: “We have removed 2.1 million deceased voters from the electoral roll.”
This effort helped reduce gender imbalances and increase voter turnout. The supplementary list included those born on or before January 1, 2007. Draft versions were published on August 10, 2025, with finals on August 31.
The voter list update incorporated deletions of deceased and ineligible entries. Over 44.66 lakh potential new voters were identified. The process used household surveys to collect data.
EC Secretariat Director Md Shariful Alam issued a press release on August 4, 2025. It detailed timelines for inclusions, deletions, and corrections up to August 21.
Electoral Roll Removal: Procedural Changes
Electoral roll removal for deceased voters in Bangladesh previously relied on periodic exercises. Enumerators collected data during four-phase drives.
The new Election Commission committee shifts to ongoing maintenance. Relatives submit Form-12 to Upazila or Thana Election Offices. Proof, like death certificates, supports requests.
This aligns with the amendments to the Electoral Rolls Act 2009. The law now permits flexible corrections. The Nasir Uddin commission oversaw the removal of 21 lakh deceased entries in 2025.
District Election Officers manage local implementations. They handle registrations, printing, and updates. Divisional offices coordinate with the secretariat.
The change aims to keep rolls current. Inaccurate lists can lead to disputes during polls. Bangladesh’s voter database integrates with national ID systems for verification.
Background
Bangladesh’s Election Commission was established in 1972 under Article 118 of the Constitution. It oversees parliamentary, local, and presidential elections.
Voter registration requires citizenship and a minimum age of 18. The National Identity Wing manages the database. Periodic updates address migrations, deaths, and new entrants.
Past controversies included allegations of fake voters. The 2025 reforms registered new parties and improved transparency. The commission rejected electronic voting machines.
The voter count stands at around 120 million. Youth comprise one-third. Maintaining accuracy is vital during political transitions following the 2025 uprising.
Door-to-door campaigns in 2025 enlisted 44.66 lakh new voters. They also flagged 21.32 lakh deceased. This data informed the latest update to the voter list.
The Representation of the People Order 1972 governs processes. It mandates clean rolls to prevent fraud.
What’s Next
The Election Commission committee will likely process initial applications soon.
This could impact future polls by ensuring precise voter counts. Ongoing voter list update may reduce complaints over deceased voters in Bangladesh remaining on lists.
As reforms continue, the focus remains on credible elections. The move reinforces trust in the system amid calls for transparency.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, January 4th, 2026
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