‘Postal Vote BD’ Inaugurated; Registration Period Announced

Alongside expatriates, government officials overseeing elections and incarcerated individuals can now cast their votes through the newly launched ‘Postal Vote BD’ app. On Tuesday, 18 November, in the evening, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin inaugurated the app at the Agargaon Election Building. During the event, sample registrations were demonstrated for expatriates from Egypt, Japan, UAE, Kenya, and the Netherlands.

The inauguration was attended by Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazal M. Sanaullah, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, secretaries of various ministries, and politicians. Additionally, Bangladeshi diplomats and expatriates from several countries joined virtually.

After the app launch, the EC determined the registration period. Ballot papers will be sent to expatriates based on their regional registration. Once voting is completed, ballots must reach the returning officer within 16 to 28 days.

The registration and voting process has been publicized by the EC since 22 September. The process is completed in five steps: downloading the mobile app, registration, sending ballots by post, casting votes, and returning ballots by post.

To register, expatriates must download the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store, log in, and create an account using a mobile number. The number must be verified using a One-Time Password (OTP).

Next, they must take a selfie with their National ID (NID) and upload a separate image of the NID. A passport photo is optional. They must also provide their current overseas address. After verification, the app will display “You are now registered.”

Once registered, the information will go to the relevant returning officer, and a separate voter list will be prepared. Ballots will then be sent in three envelopes: one containing the ballot paper, another with the seat number and returning officer’s address, and the third as the outer protective envelope. Voters will fill in the ballot, place it in the designated envelope, and submit it to the nearest postbox to complete the process.

Upon receiving the envelope, voters must log in to the app to verify their mobile number, take a selfie, and scan the QR code on the envelope. After finalizing candidates, voters fill the ballot and sign the declaration form. The completed ballot is then sent to the nearest post office.

Registration Schedule by Region:
The registration period is divided into seven regions and runs from 19 November to 23 December, with five-day registration slots:

• East Asia, South America, Africa: 19–23 Nov

• North America & Oceania: 24–28 Nov

• Europe: 29 Nov–3 Dec

• Middle East: 4–8 Dec

• South & Southeast Asia: 9–13 Dec

• Middle East (excluding Saudi Arabia): 14–18 Dec

• Government officials, election officers, and law-bound individuals in Bangladesh: 19–23 Dec

During his inaugural speech, CEC A.M.M. Nasir Uddin emphasized the constitutional right of expatriates: “According to Article 7.1 of the Constitution, the people are the owners of democracy. Ownership has no geographical boundaries. Just as expatriates contribute economically, they must also fulfill their democratic duties. Their participation will make democracy broader, more representative, and stronger.”

The CEC described the mobile app initiative as “bold,” noting that over 13 million Bangladeshis live and work abroad and have historically been disenfranchised. The app ensures their voting rights, expanding democracy’s reach and representation.

Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed stated that the app opens new horizons for parliamentary and referendum voting. Registered voters will receive ballots by post, cast their votes, and return them to the respective returning officer. This is not only a technological innovation but a milestone for inclusive, nationwide democracy in Bangladesh.

Election Commissioner Abul Fazal M. Sanaullah noted challenges in expatriate registration, including low registration rates (global average: 2.7%) and ballot wastage (global average: 24%). Cybersecurity is another challenge, as similar systems undergo years of trials worldwide, whereas this app was implemented within just over a month.

The Bangladeshi ambassador to Saudi Arabia virtually highlighted that around 3.5 million expatriate Bangladeshis live in the Kingdom and expressed hope for active participation.

Brigadier General (Retd.) Salim Ahmad Khan, Project Head of the Out-of-Country Voting System Development and Implementation, explained the full voting procedure, including ballot dispatch after schedule announcement and postal delivery to three specific groups of registered voters.

The hybrid system—combining a smartphone app and postal ballots—enables eligible expatriates, government officers, and armed forces personnel to exercise their voting rights in the upcoming national elections. According to the EC, the app ensures a fast, secure, and user-friendly process for overseas voters, with registration open for 40 days across 143 countries.

DBTech/BTD/Muim/OR