Expatriates can vote using postal ballots in upcoming national polls: EC
Election Commissioner Sanaullah also announced that electronic voting machines (EVMs) will not be used in either the parliamentary or local government elections
Bangladeshis living abroad will be able to cast their votes through postal ballots in the upcoming parliamentary elections, Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah said today (10 July).
The election commissioner shared the EC's latest stance on upholding the voting rights of expatriates following a commission meeting at the EC headquarters in Agargaon this afternoon.
Election Commissioner Sanaullah stated that expatriates will be able to vote through postal ballots under a newly proposed initiative.
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"A Development Project Proposal (DPP) has been prepared for this purpose, with an estimated cost of Tk 48 crore. The cost per voter is projected to be Tk700," he added.
The development comes after the Election Commission (EC) received approval to initiate the voter registration process and issue national identity cards (NIDs) in five countries including the United States.
The other four countries are Maldives, Jordan, South Africa and Oman.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs granted the approval through an official consent letter sent to the EC yesterday (9 July).
During the media briefing, Election Commissioner Sanaullah also announced that electronic voting machines (EVMs) will not be used in either the parliamentary or local government elections.
Responding to a question, he said the commission has applied to regain the authority to annul elections in an entire constituency if widespread irregularities are reported.
Sanaullah explained that while the EC previously had this power, it was revoked, and the commission now only has the authority to cancel results at individual polling centres.
