600,517 voters have registered for postal voting, a significant step towards ensuring their participation in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad Election and the referendum. This initiative is particularly beneficial for expatriate Bangladeshis, government employees involved in election duties, and individuals residing outside their designated voter constituencies. The Election Commission (EC) has been proactive, sending postal ballots to registered voters, with 124,300 ballots dispatched over the last four days to expatriate voters in 16 countries. The EC's commitment to transparency is evident, as they have provided updates on the registration process, including the breakdown of registered voters by gender and country of residence.
The app, named "Postal Vote BD," has been instrumental in this process. It allows voters to register and cast their votes conveniently. The highest number of registrations came from Saudi Arabia, with 141,610 voters, followed by Qatar, Oman, and other countries. Interestingly, 112,345 Bangladeshi voters residing within the country have also registered for in-country postal voting. The EC has emphasized the importance of correct and complete addresses for receiving postal ballots, ensuring that voters provide accurate information.
The registration process for those involved in election duties and voters under legal custody has been scheduled for specific dates, ensuring a well-organized and fair election. The EC has also announced that voters will be informed about the allocation of election symbols to candidates through the app or the EC website, a crucial step in the voting process. Salim Ahmad Khan, Team Leader of the Out of Country Voting System and Implementation (OCV-SDI) project, provided essential details about the timeline and procedures for expatriate voters.
In summary, the registration of 600,517 voters for postal voting is a significant achievement, facilitating the participation of a diverse range of voters in the upcoming elections. The EC's efforts to streamline the process and ensure transparency are commendable, and the app's user-friendly interface makes it accessible to all eligible voters.
