Dhaka, Dec 27 (NationPress) The acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Tarique Rahman, has successfully completed his National Identity Card (NID) registration and voter list inclusion on Saturday. This marks his return to the country after a 17-year self-imposed exile, according to local media reports.

Just two days post his arrival from London, Rahman paid his respects at the grave of extremist leader Osman Hadi in the Dhaka University area on Saturday morning.

Accompanied by party leaders and supporters, he proceeded to the Election Building in the capital to finalize his voter registration and obtain a national identity card, as reported by the leading Bangladeshi daily, Prothom Alo.

As per ASM Humayun Kabir, Director General of the National Identity Registration Wing at the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC), Rahman is expected to receive his NID within 24 hours after completing his voter registration.

"Tarique Rahman has already submitted the online form and is here to finalize his registration by providing his fingerprints and iris scan. The system will automatically verify his data against existing records. If no discrepancies are found, his NID number will be generated within 5 to 24 hours," UNB quoted Kabir while addressing reporters at the EC's National Identity Wing in Dhaka.

Reports indicate that Rahman intends to run for election in February 2026 from the Sadar constituency in Bogra district, his ancestral home, with local BNP leaders already preparing his nomination papers.

In response, the Awami League has raised concerns, stating that under Bangladeshi law, new voter registration is illegal once the election schedule is announced, questioning the legitimacy of Rahman's registration while the schedule remains active.

Additionally, the party queried how the registration could occur on a Saturday, a recognized government holiday, raising concerns about adherence to the law and the authority behind the process.

According to the Awami League, these occurrences are not isolated incidents, indicating a recurring issue, and questioning whether different standards are being applied for Rahman.

If so, they asked, where does the constitutionally enshrined principle that "the law is equal for all" stand?

Rahman's return to Bangladesh coincides with the EC's announcement of the country's 13th national parliamentary election, along with a referendum on the July Charter, scheduled for February 12 next year.

Analysts believe that Rahman's return and his participation in the forthcoming elections will gauge the current political climate in Bangladesh under the leadership of the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, which faces increasing pressure to ensure a free, fair, and credible election.

Critics warn that Rahman's re-entry into the politically charged environment of Bangladesh could escalate tensions nationwide.