Dhaka: The Election Commission (EC) in Bangladesh has released new guidelines to facilitate voting for individuals currently detained in prisons or legal custody in the upcoming 13th national elections and referendum.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, these guidelines are in accordance with Rule 10A of the Election Conduct Rules 2008, amended in 2025, allowing detained voters to cast their votes through the ‘In-Country Postal Voting’ (ICPV) method.
The guidelines, which were signed by Election Commission Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain, have been dispatched to the Inspector General of Prisons. The EC directives specify that the enrollment of voters in detention will require approval from the relevant authorities. To aid this process, a web link has been established for the registration of such voters, and prison authorities are tasked with nominating two representatives to oversee the registration process. Once the registration is complete, the authorities will forward a sealed and signed printed voter list to the Election Commission.
Detained registered voters will be provided with a postal ballot envelope containing ballot papers for both the national elections and the referendum, along with instructions and a return envelope addressed to the Returning Officer. The guidelines emphasize the necessity for prison authorities to ensure a conducive environment for the voting process.
The postal ballots will not display candidate names; rather, they will feature symbols and blank spaces. Authorities are responsible for providing voters with the final candidate list, including names and symbols. Voters will mark their choices by ticking or crossing boxes next to the symbols or Yes/No options on the referendum ballot. Voters must also sign a declaration form, or have it attested if they are unable to sign, before submitting their ballots.
After voting, the ballots and signed declarations are to be sealed in envelopes and submitted to designated locations within the prison. The prison authorities are then responsible for securely sending the envelopes to the nearest post office, which will ensure delivery to the appropriate returning officer without requiring postage fees, as costs will be covered by the government of Bangladesh.