Jamaat calls for one-week extension of expatriate voting period
Although 25 January has been set as the deadline for expatriate voting, many complications remain.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has demanded that the voting period for expatriates be extended by at least one week in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election and referendum.
The party alleges that expatriate voters are facing severe difficulties in sending postal ballots due to the currently fixed timeframe and weekly holidays in Middle Eastern and Western countries.
Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General and head of its central media and publicity department, Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, raised the demand at the party's regular press conference held this evening (23 January) at its central office in Moghbazar in the capital.
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Zubair said that although 25 January has been set as the deadline for expatriate voting, many complications remain.
He said, "Candidates received their symbols on 21 January, and the QR codes were activated on 22 January. But 23 and 24 January are public holidays in the Middle East, and 24 and 25 January are holidays in Western countries. As post offices remain closed, expatriates are unable to send their postal ballots on time. Many have not even received their ballot papers yet."
In this situation, Jamaat urged the Election Commission (EC) to extend the deadline by a further seven days to ensure expatriates can exercise their voting rights.
Zubair said that as part of the party's election campaign, the Jamaat ameer has begun a two-day tour of eight districts in the northern region. Shafiqur started the tour from Panchagarh this morning and, after travelling through Dinajpur and Thakurgaon, is currently staying in Rangpur, he added.
Tomorrow (24 January), the Jamaat chief will visit the grave of Abu Sayed, the first martyr of the July Uprising, and meet his family. He will then return to Dhaka after holding public rallies in Gaibandha, Bogura, Sirajganj and Pabna.
Expressing concern over the election environment, Zubair said, "Rival parties are violating the electoral code of conduct in various places."
He said the issues of late-night loudspeaker announcements and the use of campaign materials outside prescribed rules have been brought to the attention of the EC.
Calling on the administration and the Election Commission, Zubair said, "To deliver a fair, orderly and acceptable election, it is essential to ensure a level playing field. The EC must play a more responsible role in maintaining law and order and ensuring public participation in a fear-free environment."
