Staff Reporter – The Election Commission (EC) is not keeping provisions for postal voting in local government elections. This decision has been finalized in the draft electoral rules and code of conduct.
At the same time, the provision for holding these elections on a non-partisan basis, without party symbols, has been retained.
Explaining the decision, the EC stated that sending ballots to expatriate voters, collecting and verifying them, and including them in the counting process within the scheduled time frame would be highly complex and expensive. This information was revealed in a report by The Business Standard (TBS).
The commission has prepared the draft code of conduct for various local government elections. These drafts were published on the EC’s website on June 10, and public feedback has been requested by June 30.
According to the Representation of the People Order, 1972, there is an opportunity to vote by post in the National Parliamentary Elections, allowing expatriate Bangladeshis to cast their votes from abroad.
However, no such provision exists in the current laws governing local government elections.
Badiul Alam Majumdar, Secretary of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), stated, “Not keeping the postal voting option for expatriates in local government elections would not be appropriate. They are citizens and voters of Bangladesh. Ensuring their right to vote is the responsibility of the state.”
He added, “The problems encountered with postal voting in the national elections should be reviewed and resolved. But expatriates should not be deprived of their voting rights due to these challenges. While there is no explicit provision in the law for expats to vote via post in local elections, it is a matter of policy. Expatriates should have the opportunity to vote in all elections.”
He further mentioned, “If necessary, the Election Commission can introduce this system through rules or notifications. The government can also amend the law if it wishes. Ultimately, it is a policy decision.”
Commenting on the matter, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahman El Masud said, “No new arrangement has been made for expatriates to vote. There will be no opportunity for postal voting in local government elections either.”
Expatriates have expressed disappointment over the EC’s decision. They argue that while they have the opportunity to vote in national elections, excluding them from local government elections is discriminatory.