Highlights
- 21 lakh (2.1 million) dead voters identified in updated voter list
- CEC admits many of them had voted in the past
- Elections Commission determined to ensure a free and fair 13th National Election
- Overseas government employees to be included as new voters
- CEC calls for media cooperation to prevent misinformation and misuse of AI
21 Lakh Dead Voters Found in Updated List
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin announced that 21 lakh dead voters have been identified during the latest voter list update. He revealed that many of these deceased individuals had even voted in previous elections.
“ভোটার তালিকা হালনাগাদে ২১ লাখ মৃত ভোটার চিহ্নিত করা হয়েছে। এদের অনেকেই আগে ভোট দিয়ে যেতেন।”
Translation: “A total of 21 lakh dead voters have been identified during the voter list update. Many of them had previously cast their votes.”
Election Commission’s Commitment to Fair Polls
Speaking to journalists at the Election Commission headquarters in Agargaon on Monday, the CEC said the commission is committed to holding the 13th National Parliamentary Election in a free, fair, and transparent manner.
He emphasized the media’s vital role in ensuring transparency and preventing the spread of false information.
“সাধারণ ডিম বিক্রি করে আমরা কীভাবে ১৫ লক্ষ কাস্টমার এনেছি—এই বইয়ে আছে তার বাস্তব কাহিনি!”
Plans to Include Expatriate and Government Voters
The CEC also shared plans to include Bangladeshi expatriates and government employees posted abroad in the voting process, to make the election “as transparent as a mirror.”
“আমরা চাই নির্বাচনটি আয়নার মতো স্বচ্ছ হোক। এজন্য প্রবাসে যারা দায়িত্ব পালন করছেন, সেই সরকারি চাকরিজীবীদেরও ভোটের আওতায় আনা হবে। প্রায় ১০ লাখ সরকারি কর্মচারী এবার ভোট দিতে পারবেন।”
Translation: “We want the election to be as transparent as a mirror. For that, government officials working abroad will be brought under the voting system. Around 1 million government employees will be able to vote this time.”
Call for Media Cooperation and Responsible AI Use
The CEC stressed that creating a level playing field and a fair environment for all parties is not possible without the cooperation of the media.
“গণমাধ্যমের সহযোগিতা ছাড়া লেভেল প্লেয়িং ফিল্ড ও নির্বাচনের অনুকূল পরিবেশ তৈরি সম্ভব নয়।”
Translation: “Without media cooperation, it is impossible to create a level playing field and a favorable election environment.”
He also urged electronic media outlets to prevent the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in election reporting and political campaigns.
EC Holds Talks with Journalists and Other Stakeholders
The dialogue at the Agargaon Election Commission office was attended by all four commissioners and senior EC officials.
The discussions were held in two sessions — television journalists in the morning and print and online media journalists in the afternoon, with around 50 media representatives taking part.
The CEC also announced that the EC will hold further discussions on October 7 with women leaders and election experts, followed by dialogues with freedom fighters, political parties, and other stakeholders.
This series of dialogues began on September 28, when the EC met with civil society members, intellectuals, and academics — although more than half of the invited participants did not attend that session.
