Over 3 lakh expatriates enrolled for postal voting system

More than three lakh  expatriate Bangladeshis have already registered to take part in the country’s first-ever postal voting initiative, marking a milestone in efforts to enfranchise citizens living abroad.

The Election Commission (EC) today reported that a total of 307,577 overseas Bangladeshis had successfully completed registration through the “Postal Vote BD” app as of 10:00am today. This digital gateway enables them to cast ballots in the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad election as well as the referendum.

Of the registered voters, 284,349 are men while 23,228 are women, according to the EC’s updated figures.

Officials described the turnout as a significant step in broadening democratic participation, noting that the postal ballot system is designed to ensure inclusivity for millions of Bangladeshis residing overseas.

Among the country-based registrations, Saudi Arabia has the highest number of 84,600, Qatar 25,257, the United States 20,755, the United Arab Emirates 19,852, Malaysia 18,156, Singapore 15,294, the United Kingdom 13,663, Oman 12,625, Italy 9,965, Canada 9,852, South Korea 9,602, Australia 8,221, Kuwait 8,204 and Japan 7,068.

Besides, government servants who are engaged in electoral duties to vote in the 13th National Parliament Election and Referendum and are residing outside their voting area can register to exercise their voting rights through the “Postal Vote BD” app from the date of announcement of the schedule until December 25.

In this regard, the EC message said, “Voters engaged in electoral duties in the 13th National Parliament Election, government servants residing outside their voting area and voters in legal custody can register through the app from the date of announcement of the election schedule until December 25.”

EC Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said, "The registration deadline for out-of-country voting has been extended until midnight on December 25. Now, any adult Bangladeshi can register to vote by downloading our app from anywhere in the world."

Besides, the EC has extended the time for expatriate Bangladeshis to correct their addresses on the “Postal Vote BD” app for seven countries including Saudi Arabia until 9:00 am on December 14.

The other six countries are Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain.

However, there is no further opportunity for registered voters from other countries to correct their addresses, according to a message sent by the EC to media.

The EC has requested expatriate Bangladeshis to provide correct address while registering through the Postal Vote BD app.

In this regard, a message from the EC said that to get a postal ballot, provide the correct address as per the prevailing rules of the country where you are staying while registering on the “Postal Vote BD” app. If necessary, provide the address of your workplace or a known person. Postal ballot papers will not be sent to voters without providing the correct and complete address.

On November 18, the Chief Election Commissioner launched the “Postal Vote BD” app and announced the schedule for voter registration in 148 specific countries for the 13th National Parliament Election.

To vote through postal ballot, expatriate voters must use the mobile number of the country from which they will vote.

To register, first download and install the “Postal Vote BD” app from the Google Play Store or App Store.

Providing the correct address is essential to ensure receipt of the ballot abroad.