Tarique to be enrolled as voter on Dec 27: Salahuddin

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will be enrolled as a voter on December 27, said party Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed.

He made the statement on Monday, December 22, after a BNP delegation, led by him, held a meeting with election officials at the Chief Election Commissioner’s (CEC) office at the Election Building in Agargaon around 3:00pm.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud, the commission’s Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Ismail Zabiullah, and former acting election commission secretary Dr Mohammad Zakaria were present at the meeting.

Salahuddin said necessary discussions were held regarding Tarique Rahman’s voter enrolment following his return to the country.

Tarique Rahman is scheduled to return home on Thursday (December 25) after nearly 17 years in exile in London. According to party sources, he has booked a seat on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-2020, which is scheduled to depart London’s Heathrow Airport at 6:15pm on December 24 and arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 11:45am on December 25, subject to schedule.

BNP leaders and activists across the country are expressing excitement over the return of the party’s top leader and are making preparations to welcome him.

The party has received permission from the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner to organise a reception programme marking Tarique Rahman’s homecoming. BNP leaders said security arrangements are being given priority.

Preparations are underway to hold a public reception on the Purbachal Expressway – recently renamed the July 36 Expressway – in the capital. A residence has also been arranged for Tarique Rahman, party sources added.