Bangladeshs dual citizenship law sparks controversy ahead of upcoming elections

Protests Over Dual Citizenship in Bangladesh Elections Erupt Ahead of February 12 Vote

Demonstrations outside the headquarters of the Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC) on Sunday have disrupted preparations for the country’s national elections scheduled for February 12. The student wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, has been protesting against what they claim is bias by the BEC in its handling of dual citizenship issues.

The BNP’s student activists have demanded that candidates with dual citizenship be allowed to contest in the elections. In response, leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP), which emerged from protests in August 2024, accused the BEC of bias and favoring the BNP.

During a nine-day review process, the BEC reviewed dozens of objections related to the alleged dual citizenship of 25 candidates. Ultimately, the commission upheld the candidacy of 23 candidates and cancelled the nominations of two others. In several instances, the BEC cleared nominations after candidates submitted documents stating they had renounced or applied to renounce foreign citizenship.

The decision has benefited all parties involved, with 10 BNP candidates among those approved, as well as four from Jamaat-e-Islami and one NCP candidate despite questions over dual citizenship. The remaining seven approved candidates belong to smaller parties or are contesting as independents.

NCP leader Mahabub Alam claimed that the BEC’s approach was selective and unconstitutional, favoring certain parties. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin rejected these allegations, stating that decisions were guided by a desire to ensure participation from all sides.

The dispute over dual citizenship highlights a deepening divide in the country ahead of the elections. Bangladesh allows its citizens to obtain a second citizenship from 103 countries, but Article 66(2) of its Constitution disqualifies a person if they acquire foreign state citizenship.

Source: Al Jazeera