Sheikh Hasina and ten members of her family will be barred from voting in Bangladesh's upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, as their National Identity (NID) cards have been officially locked. 

Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed disclosed the matter on Wednesday (Sept 17).

He told Banglanews that individuals with locked NID cards are not permitted to vote—whether residing at home or abroad. 

"Those whose NIDs are locked will not be able to register online for overseas voting. The system under development will require NID numbers, not passports. Without an active NID, online registration is not possible," he explained.

A.S.M. Humayun Kabir, the Director General of the EC’s NID wing, issued the NID locking directive in April. 

The individuals affected include Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, son Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, Rehana’s daughter Tulip Siddiq, Azmina Siddiq Ruponti, son Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, Hasina’s security adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddiq, his wife Shaheen Siddiq, and daughter Bushra Siddiq.

The move comes after Sheikh Hasina and several senior members of her former government fled to India following the student-led popular uprising on August 5 last year. Since then, many leaders and activists from the now-outlawed Awami League have also taken refuge abroad.

Although the government has banned the Awami League’s political activities, voting rights for its members remain intact—provided they are residing within the country and possess active NIDs. Those abroad with locked NIDs, however, will be unable to cast their votes.

When asked specifically whether Sheikh Hasina could vote, the EC Secretary replied unequivocally: "Her NID is locked. Anyone with a locked NID cannot vote."

The EC secretary clarified that individuals living abroad due to court cases or other reasons are still eligible to vote. So long as their NIDs remain active and they register online using their NID numbers.

SMS/