Dhaka: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin announced today that the Election Commission (EC) is actively working to secure the voting rights of expatriate Bangladeshis for the upcoming parliamentary election, even if it is limited in scope. The initiative aims to align with practices successfully implemented in other countries, despite challenges faced by nations like India.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the CEC made these remarks during a seminar titled “On development of voting for diaspora Bangladeshis” at the Election Commission Auditorium. The seminar, organized to explore voting mechanisms for Bangladeshi citizens abroad in the 13th parliamentary election, included participation from political parties such as BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP), along with journalists, academics, and civil society members.
Nasir Uddin emphasized the necessity of political consensus for the success of this initiative, urging political parties to support the effort. He appealed to all parties to provide their official feedback on proposed voting methods by May 15, highlighting the socio-economic factors of different countries that must be considered in decision-making.
The EC is evaluating a hybrid voting approach that could involve postal, online, and proxy voting options for expatriates. These methods are being assessed for their practicality, cost-effectiveness, and ability to uphold public trust. The CEC expressed a commitment to beginning the process within the commission’s capacity, informed by research into international voting procedures for expatriates.
Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed noted the impact of expatriates’ inability to vote on voter turnout and stressed the importance of including them in democratic processes. Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd) Abul Fazl Md Sanaullah also highlighted the significance of political feedback in selecting the most suitable voting method for overseas voters.
Prominent figures such as BNP leaders Nazrul Islam Khan, Ismail Jabiullah, and Syed Emran Saleh Prince, Jamaat leaders Jasim Uddin and Matiur Rahman Akand, and NCP’s Khaled Saifullah attended the seminar, engaging in discussions about the future of expatriate voting rights in Bangladesh.