EC seeks expert opinions to determine voting system for expatriates

The Election Commission is engaging with technical experts to identify a suitable voting system that would ensure the voting rights of expatriate Bangladeshis.

A workshop is currently underway, bringing together experts from Dhaka University (DU), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), as well as representatives from both government and non-government development organisations.

While inaugurating the workshop on Tuesday, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said, "Whatever system we adopt for expatriate voters, we will first pilot it on a small scale and then go on a larger scale,"

At least 80 persons, including experts and election officials, are participating in the day-long 'Workshop on Determining Voting System for Expatriates Bangladeshis at the Electoral Training Institute (ETI) in the city.

Four election commissioners and EC secretary were present at the workshop.

The CEC said, "We are prioritising the issue of ensuring the voting rights of expatriate Bangladeshis. I hope that a specific method will be determined from today's workshop of experts. We will take initiatives according to the method you suggest. After that, a structure will be set up with the method."

He further said the EC's priority to guarantee the voting rights of expatriate Bangladeshis. "We are prioritizing the issue of expatriates' voting rights. We hope today's workshop will help us define a specific method for this purpose. Based on your suggestions, we will take the necessary steps, and a structure for the voting process will be developed."

Nasir Uddin said the EC will have to take a decision considering the social and political reality, the educational qualifications of the voters and the reality of the expatriates.

Like the interim government, the EC is also committed to making arrangements for the expatriate Bangladeshis to vote in the next election, he said.

The CEC mentioned that many expatriates have requested the opportunity to vote. "But it is not very easy task. After a thorough review, we are working on three systems (postal, online and proxy balloting systems). Postal voting which we have now. We are also working on online voting and proxy voting."

During the presentation of the keynote paper at the workshop, Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah pointed out that postal and online voting methods may not be as effective for expatriates. He stressed that the 'proxy voting' system could be the most viable option.