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Bangladesh’s election commission has said it has ‘locked’ deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s national identity cards, effectively barring her from voting in the general elections scheduled for February next year. It is yet another big blow to Hasina as it threatens to virtually end her long poltical career.
“Anyone whose national identity card (NID) has been locked cannot vote from abroad,” Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told reporters at his office in Nirbachon Bhavan. “Her (Hasina’s) NID is locked,” added.
According to various media reports, Though Ahmed did not mention any other name, UNB news agency and the Dhaka Tribune newspaper, quoting unnamed election commission officials, reported that the NIDs of Hasina’s younger sister Sheikh Rehana, son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and daughter Saima Wazed Putul have also been ‘locked’ or ‘blocked’.
Rehana’s children Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, Azmina Siddiq and nephew Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, her brother-in-law and Hasina’s former security adviser retired major general Tarique Ahmed Siddique, his wife Shahin Siddique and their daughter Bushra Siddique are also reportedly barred from voting.
Ahmed, however, said those who ‘fled abroad to evade justice’ or for other reasons could still vote provided their NID cards remain active.
