Expatriates to cast vote by postal ballot in upcoming national election: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Thursday confirmed that expatriate Bangladeshis with smart National Identity Cards will be able to exercise their voting rights through postal ballots in the forthcoming National elections.

The announcement came during a discussion with overseas Bangladeshis held at the Consulate General of Bangladesh in Toronto, where the CEC is currently on an official visit. To facilitate voting abroad, the Election Commission is developing an app called “Postal Ballot BD,” he said.

The event also marked the inauguration of the distribution of smart identity cards to expatriates, a move aimed at encouraging greater participation in the electoral process. CEC Nasir Uddin formally launched the card distribution programme and urged overseas Bangladeshis to register and vote.

Speaking at the event, the CEC provided a detailed overview of the country’s electoral preparations, including the voter registration process for Bangladeshis living abroad and the procedures to cast their votes by postal ballot in the upcoming parliamentary polls.

The meeting was attended by over 100 expatriates, including professionals such as businessmen, doctors, engineers, academics, journalists, and students. The participants engaged in an open discussion and question-and-answer session with the Chief Election Commissioner.

Consul General Md Faruk Hossain presided over the gathering, which received positive feedback from attendees, who thanked the CEC for his visit and the Consulate for organizing the event.