"57,000 new voters have been added in Rajbari."

In the lead-up to the 13th National Parliament election, the Rajbari district has recorded a significant increase in its voter base, with a total of 57,308 new voters across its two parliamentary constituencies. A large proportion of these are first-time voters, many of whom are young, while a notable number are returning expatriates participating in the election for the first time. Rajbari-2 has witnessed a comparatively higher surge in voter registration.

According to the District Election Officer’s (DEO) office, the total number of registered voters in Rajbari during the 12th National Parliament election stood at 932,490. The latest updates show that this figure has risen to 989,908 for the upcoming election, marking a substantial growth in the electorate.

The current voter demographics are as follows: 501,758 men, 488,137 women, and 13 third-gender voters, compared to nine in the previous election.

The increase in voter numbers has been accompanied by a slight expansion in polling infrastructure. While the previous election featured 350 polling stations, this number has now risen to 354 to accommodate the larger electorate.

Ahead of the elections, a total of 13,149 voters in Rajbari have registered for postal ballots. Of these, 5,063 belong to Rajbari-1, and 8,086 to Rajbari-2.

The DEO’s office attributed the rise in voter registration to proactive initiatives, including house-to-house data collection and the availability of online registration platforms. Additionally, efforts have been made to enhance transparency by removing deceased voters from the electoral lists.

Observers note that the increase in young and female voters is expected to introduce a new dynamic to the electoral process. With many first-time voters actively engaging on social media, candidates are intensifying digital campaigning, generating excitement among the youth.

Tamim, a college student and first-time voter, expressed his enthusiasm: “Voting for the first time is an extraordinary feeling. I have watched many participate before, and now my long-held dream of casting my vote will come true. I hope to vote for an honest and capable candidate.”

Sheikh Muhammad Jalal Uddin, the District Election Officer, highlighted the importance of young voters, particularly as this election coincides with a national referendum. He confirmed that all electoral processes are being conducted in strict compliance with the Election Commission’s guidelines to ensure fairness and transparency.