NID Not Mandatory: Listed Voters Can Cast Ballots

For the first time in the country’s history, the 13th National Parliamentary Election and a referendum are being held on the same day—Thursday, February 12. During elections, various complications often arise among voters regarding their National Identity Card (NID). Some may have lost their cards, while others may be newly registered voters who have not yet received their NID cards.

Naturally, questions have emerged among the public: Is it possible to vote without an NID card? Or can voting be done with just a voter slip?

According to election-related sources, voters will be allowed to cast their ballots even if they do not have their NID or smart card with them, as long as their names appear on the voter list. In other words, carrying an NID card is not mandatory to exercise voting rights.

In such cases, the polling officer will verify the voter’s identity by matching their name and photograph with the voter list before issuing a ballot paper.

To ensure that the voting process remains smooth and transparent, voters are advised to know their polling station and their serial number on the voter list in advance. Voters can easily check this information beforehand, which will make the process more convenient when they go to the polling station.

Earlier, on Tuesday, February 10, during a briefing held at the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah said that candidates’ names and symbols may be used on voter slips for the upcoming election. He noted that under previous rules, voter slips did not include candidates’ names or symbols. However, ahead of the February 12 election, candidates’ names and symbols will be permitted on voter slips. The slips are typically distributed by candidates outside local polling stations or accessed through the Smart BD app.

DBTech/CNO/MI/OR