9.5 lakh voters in Chattogram awaiting smart cards
Tanzim Hossain, Chattogram City Correspondent
The distribution of smart national ID cards (smart cards) began in 2016. However, after eight years, approximately 950,000 voters in Chattogram’s Chandanaish, Karnaphuli, Banshkhali, and Mirsarai upazilas are still waiting for their smart cards.
Election Commission (EC) officials have stated that the printing process for these upazilas is still underway.
According to the District Election Office, Chattogram City and its 15 upazilas have a total of 6,576,925 registered voters, including 3,463,583 men and 3,113,281 women. Although smart cards have been distributed to 2 million voters in the city, many cards for voters from various wards remain at ward or police station offices, pending collection.
Nationwide, smartcard distribution has been completed in several upazilas, but printing is yet to be completed in 143 upazilas. While 7.2 million cards have been printed for 47 upazilas, many are still awaiting distribution.
Recently, distribution was completed in Chattogram’s Fatikchhari and Lohagara upazilas. According to EC data, 80.9 million voters across the country have received their smart cards, but 15.1 million voters remain in waiting.
