EC sets Mar 1 for 'Voters' Day'

The Election Commission has locked on Mar 1 to observe Voters’ Day every year and now waits for the government’s green light.

The day aims to raise awareness among the youth to exercise their franchises and give a boost to the process of updating electoral roll, election commissioners observed.

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda and two commissioners, Md Rafiqul Islam and Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury, have agreed on the date in the last commission meeting, EC Officials said.

The day will be observed on a national level after getting the Cabinet’s approval.

At a meeting on Dec 17, acting EC secretary Helaluddin Ahmad proposed either Jul 7 or Jun 1 to observe the day.
Bangladesh’s Election Commission was formed on Jul 7 in 1972 while the commission considers whether an individual is 18 years old on Jan 1 to be qualified to vote.

Election Commissioner Shahadat opted for Jan 1, when he was told the government observes at as the Textbook Day.
Commissioner Rafiqul Islam floated the idea of picking a date in July, when the process of updating the electoral roll begins every year, reports bdnews24.

According to meetings minutes, the commission decided on Mar 1 and instructed officials to forward the proposal to the Cabinet division.

Voters’ Day is observed by many other countries. India observes Voters’ Day on the day it established its election commission.