EC Warns: NID to Be Blocked for Political Campaigning via Postal Ballots
The Election Commission (EC) is allowing three categories of voters—both expatriate and domestically based—to cast their votes through IT-supported postal ballots in the upcoming election. However, the EC has warned that any voter engaging in political campaigning by writing messages on postal ballot envelopes will face strict action, including the blocking of their National Identity Card (NID).
The information was disclosed on Sunday (January 11) through an “Important Notice” issued by the EC on the Postal Vote BD app. The notice urges all registered voters to personally collect their ballot papers and to refrain from seeking assistance from others, in order to maintain ballot secrecy.
The EC further stated that writing anything on the ballot envelope for political promotion constitutes a punishable offence. In such cases, the Commission may block the voter’s NID and take other legal measures.
For the first time, expatriates, government employees assigned election duties, members of law enforcement agencies, and prisoners are being allowed to vote through postal ballots.
According to EC data, a total of 1,533,683 voters have registered for postal voting. Of them, 761,141 voters are currently residing within the country.
The EC also cautioned that blocking an NID can disrupt access to various essential civic services, underscoring the seriousness of compliance with postal voting regulations.
DBTech/DPIO/EK/OR
