Rohingyas try to become voters illegally: EC

Displaced Rohingyas who have taken refuge in Cox’s Bazar to escape persecution in Myanmar are involved in illegal attempts to collect identity cards (NIDs) from various election offices in the country.

“Recently, Rohingyas have been observed to be involved in nefarious efforts to collect NID from various districts and election offices in the country,” the Election Commission said today (November 28).

However, no one other than Bangladeshi citizens can be included in the national electoral rolls under Art. 7 section 1 letter a) of the Act on Electoral Lists of 2009, the commission stated.

“Yet some unscrupulous people and middleman rings in Bangladesh are helping Rohingyas become voters, which is an offense punishable under the Electoral Rolls Act 2009 and the National Identity Registration Act 2010.” – added the EC.

In this context, the European Commission has asked everyone to inform their upazila, district, regional electoral offices or the EC secretariat if any foreigner is involved in nefarious efforts to collect NID.

People have been asked to share information regarding such nefarious attempts through the following channels: Telephone- 02-55007600, Email- (email protected)hotline 105 (toll-free number) or by post addressed to the Secretary of the European Commission Secretariat, Nirbachan Bhaban, Plot No. E-14/Z, Agargaon, Dhaka-1207.