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Official confirmation remains conspicuously absent regarding the current electoral status of Tarique Rahman, the Acting Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), igniting persistent questions within the country’s political landscape.
The Bangladesh High Commission in the United Kingdom has categorically denied possessing any information concerning whether Mr. Rahman, who has resided in London for many years, has availed himself of the online voter registration facility. When specifically contacted early on Thursday, Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to the UK, Abida Islam, stated unequivocally that the diplomatic mission held no data or knowledge on the matter.
This denial from the High Commission is notable given the established protocols for Bangladeshi expatriate registration, which often requires coordination and data sharing involving diplomatic missions and the Election Commission (EC). The lack of information suggests that either the senior opposition leader has not yet attempted the online registration process, or that the details have not been routed through the expected official governmental pipelines.
The current situation follows recent disclosures by the Election Commission itself. EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed earlier this month that Mr. Rahman is currently not registered as a voter in Bangladesh, though he retains eligibility to apply, subject to EC approval. This context adds significant weight to the ongoing question of whether the BNP chief has used the digital portal to rectify his non-voter status ahead of the nation's forthcoming elections.
Compounding the official opacity, key leadership within the BNP's UK chapter remains unavailable or unwilling to comment. Both the President and the General Secretary of the UK BNP are currently understood to be in Bangladesh. In their absence, other senior regional party leaders, when approached for clarification on Mr. Rahman’s registration status, uniformly refused to provide any official statement, opting instead for strict silence on the sensitive issue.
This dual lack of confirmation—from both the diplomatic representation and high-ranking party officials—ensures that the influential politician’s electoral standing will remain a focal point of discussion within Bangladesh's shifting political dynamics.
