BNP proposes using regular ballots for postal voting within country

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has proposed using regular ballot papers for postal voting within the country, citing alleged irregularities in the postal voting process introduced for expatriate voters.

Speaking after a meeting with the Election Commission (EC) on Thursday (January 15), BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said instances had been reported where 200 to 300 postal ballots were sent to single locations, ballots were seized in some areas, and voting had begun ahead of schedule. “Voting was supposed to start on January 22, but irregularities are already being reported,” he said.

Salahuddin noted that as the postal voting system for expatriates is being implemented for the first time, some procedural flaws may exist. However, he claimed these irregularities were adversely affecting BNP candidates and undermining electoral fairness.

The BNP proposed that the same ballot papers used in each constituency for in-person voting should also be used for postal voting within that constituency. According to the party, there is no need to print and dispatch separate postal ballots for each seat, as regular ballots bearing all candidates’ names and symbols would suffice.

During the meeting, the BNP delegation discussed election laws and the code of conduct with Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin.

The delegation included BNP Chairperson’s adviser Ismail Zabihullah, former acting EC secretary Dr Mohammad Zakaria, and Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kazal, head of the party’s legal assistance sub-committee.

Salahuddin said the Election Commission had assured the party that its concerns and proposals would be given due consideration. He expressed hope that the commission would accept the proposal to use regular ballots for domestic postal voting.