Natore: A total of 41 prisoners at the Natore District Jail will have the opportunity to cast their votes through postal ballots in the upcoming 13th national parliament election and referendum. This marks a significant first-time initiative allowing prisoners to participate in the electoral process.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, prison sources confirmed that the registration of interested prisoners has been successfully completed using the Election Commission's prescribed PIDS software. The Natore District Jail currently houses 815 inmates, comprising 568 under-trial prisoners, which includes 29 women, and 218 convicted prisoners, including four women.
Following the Election Commission's decision to enable prisoners to vote, jail authorities conducted a motivational campaign over two weeks. This initiative led to 41 prisoners-17 under-trial detainees and 24 convicted prisoners-expressing their interest in voting. The registration took place between December 25, 2025, and January 5, 2026, and only those registered are eligible to vote in both the general election and the referendum.
District Jailer Sheikh Md Russell stated that after election symbols are allocated, the Election Commission will distribute postal ballot papers for both the parliamentary election and the referendum. These will be accompanied by voter instructions and declaration forms. Voters will cast their ballots in secrecy, marking their choices after reviewing candidates, symbols, and referendum questions. Assistance will be provided to illiterate voters, with a verifier signing the declaration form.
Once voting is completed, the ballot papers will be sealed in white envelopes, provided by the Election Commission, and submitted to jail authorities. These will then be promptly dispatched by post to the respective returning officers, he added.
Jail Superintendent Jahanara Begum confirmed that all necessary preparations have been made to ensure a smooth voting process once the postal ballots are received. She emphasized that effective measures will be taken to collect and dispatch the completed ballots to the concerned returning officers in a timely manner.