EC to launch ‘Postal Vote BD’ app for expat voters

The Election Commission has announced plans for a mobile app that will allow Bangladeshi expatriates to register for postal voting in the upcoming 13th parliamentary election.

The app, named Postal Vote BD, will enable expatriates to register and cast their votes through postal ballots sent to them abroad. Returning officers will then receive the ballots via the postal service.

Registered expatriates, election officials on duty, government employees and individuals in legal custody will be eligible to vote through postal ballots, Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told the media today.

He explained if expatriates register in advance, they return home to cast ballots in person. The app is ready for launch, but the timeline for registration will depend on the election schedule.

Ballot papers will not contain candidates' names, only symbols. Voters will mark their preferred symbol with a tick or cross. Each voter will receive three envelopes, including one for returning the marked ballot, along with detailed instructions.

The secretary said the timing of postal voting will be according to the election schedule. "We will announce the registration and ballot dispatch dates after the schedule is finalised," he noted.

Meanwhile, the European Union's pre-election observation team is scheduled to meet the commission on Sunday. The team will arrive at midday and hold talks with EC officials.

Akhtar Ahmed said procurement of election materials, including seals, ballot box locks and hessian bags, is nearly complete. About 70% of the required items have already arrived, and the remainder is expected by the end of September.

The EC secretary declined to comment on the issue of constituency demarcation and the protests in Bagerhat and Faridpur, with at least 18 writ petitions filed with the courts. 

He added that while the law bars challenges to EC decisions on boundary demarcation, citizens retain the right to seek judicial redress. "The matter now rests with the court's consideration," he said.

Meanwhile, the government's advisory council yesterday approved an ordinance amending the Election Commission Secretariat Act, allowing for formation of an election officials' service structure and keeping the National Identity Registration Wing under EC authority. The chief adviser's office will issue a briefing on this.

The EC will also finalise the schedule for dialogues with stakeholders, registration of new parties and observer organisations at its upcoming meeting. Twenty-two parties have applied for registration, while more than 300 organisations have sought recognition as observers.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin returned from Canada on Thursday, and the commission is expected to meet on Sunday or Monday. At that meeting, final decisions on party registration, observer approval and dialogue timetables are expected.