No Scope for Manipulation in Expat Voting, Says EC Commissioner
Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd.) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah has said there is no scope for manipulation in the expatriate voting process, as live verification has been made mandatory for IT-supported postal ballots and members of intelligence agencies are deployed to ensure ballot security.
He made the remarks on Sunday morning, 1 February, during an exchange meeting with the law enforcement cell and the digital and observation teams ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and Referendum 2026, held at the Barishal Circuit House.
Commissioner Sanaullah said that ballots used for expatriate voters will contain a total of 119 symbols, which means opening envelopes and counting votes accurately will take comparatively more time. He added that only the presiding officer will be allowed to carry a pen inside the polling center, while all other officials and concerned personnel will use pencils.
He further said that 10 magistrates will be deployed in each constituency during the voting period. The Election Commission is also being particularly cautious to prevent irregularities through mobile financial services. Several meetings have already been held to stop vote-buying, and a specific transaction limit will be set to monitor financial dealings.
During the meeting, the commissioner instructed all officials involved in election management to refrain from accepting any form of hospitality or entertainment. He also emphasized the importance of promptly disseminating accurate and verified information to the public to counter misinformation and rumors.
Additionally, he said that necessary measures will be taken to ensure voting rights for elderly, disabled, and injured voters. To ensure transparency, CCTV cameras will be installed in every district and at each polling center, he added.
On election neutrality, Commissioner Sanaullah said the Election Commission will maintain a firm stance on integrity and impartiality. “There is no distinction between big parties and small parties—everyone is equal. If any official shows bias despite clear instructions, the consequences will be severe,” he warned.
The meeting was chaired by Barishal District Returning Officer Khairul Alam Suman. Among others, Superintendent of Police Farzana Islam was also present.
DBTech/JNC/SM/OR
