Asif Shifts Voter Address to Dhanmondi Amid Poll Buzz

File photo: Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain

Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain is set to become a voter of the Dhanmondi area under Dhaka-10 constituency, shifting his voter registration from Cumilla at a time when political circles are abuzz with discussions on possible seat-sharing arrangements ahead of the national election.

According to an official announcement from the LGRD Ministry’s public relations office, Asif will visit the Dhanmondi Election Office beside Green Life Hospital at 3:00pm today to officially complete the process of transferring his voter information under Dhanmondi Police Station.

At present, Asif is registered as a voter in Muradnagar upazila under the Cumilla-3 constituency.

The Dhaka-10 parliamentary seat includes Dhanmondi, New Market, Kalabagan and Hazaribagh areas. Political attention has recently turned to this constituency, as major parties consider electoral strategies and candidate placements. While BNP has not yet announced its candidate, Jamaat-e-Islami has nominated Supreme Court lawyer Jasim Uddin Sarkar.

Asif’s voter transfer comes amid speculation that certain advisers or technocrat officials may be preparing to enter active electoral politics. However, Asif has repeatedly stated that he would resign from his advisory position if he were to contest an election.

Speaking at a roundtable organised by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement on 7 November at the National Press Club, Asif highlighted the rising financial barriers in Bangladesh’s electoral culture.

He said that in the prevailing situation, contesting a national parliamentary seat requires Tk 10 to 20 crore to remain competitive — a reality that, he argued, excludes qualified candidates without access to large financial backing.

“We keep talking about democratic transformation, but we seem to be moving in circles,” he said. “If 300 representatives are going to Parliament, the question is — how many have Tk 20 crore? Without that level of money, contesting has no meaning. One can submit nomination papers, but the deposit will be forfeited.”

In addition to serving as Local Government Adviser, Asif also functions as Youth and Sports Adviser. His decision to change voter area has therefore drawn public interest, especially as political parties continue discussions on seat negotiations and candidate selections for the upcoming parliamentary polls.