Postal Vote BD app launched to enfranchise Bangladeshi expat voters

The Election Commission (EC) today launched the Postal Vote BD app, enabling Bangladeshis living abroad to cast their votes for the upcoming 13th national election scheduled for February.

Through the app, Bangladeshis in 140 countries can register as postal voters. Once registered, they will receive ballot papers marked with electoral symbols and can cast their votes by mail. The system also covers election officials on duty, government employees posted outside their constituencies, and voters in legal custody.

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Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin inaugurated the app at the EC headquarters in Dhaka's Agargaon. He said, "Currently, 1.3 crore Bangladeshis are living abroad who were previously deprived of voting rights. This initiative ends their disenfranchisement and strengthens democracy."

EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed described the app as a milestone for universal and participatory democracy, ensuring voting rights for citizens both at home and abroad.

When and where will registration take place?

Expatriate Bangladeshis' registration will run from November 19 to December 23, divided into seven regional windows. Bangladeshis in East Asia, South America, and Africa will register between November 19 and 23, North America and Oceania between November 24 and 28, Europe from November 29 to December 3, the Middle East between December 4 and 8, South and Southeast Asia from December 9 to 13, and the Middle East excluding Saudi Arabia from December 14 to 18.

Government officials, election duty officers, and individuals in custody will be able to register between December 19 and 23.

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Challenges Ahead

Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah noted challenges, including low global expatriate registration rates (2.7%), ballot wastage (24%), and cybersecurity concerns. He assured that safeguards would be in place to maintain credibility.

Brig Gen (retd) Saleem Ahmad Khan, head of the Out-of-Country Voting Project, said ballots will be dispatched immediately after schedules are announced, ensuring voters can see candidates in the app and return ballots on time.

Voting Process

The process involves five steps: downloading the app, registering, receiving ballots by post, casting votes, and returning ballots. Registration requires mobile verification, NID and passport uploads, and address confirmation.

Ballots will be sent in three envelopes, with voters marking their choice, signing a declaration, and submitting the envelope at the nearest post office.