Diaspora Doubles Domestic Turnout in IT-Supported Postal Voting: EC

Participation by expatriate voters through the IT-supported ‘Postal Vote BD’ mobile application is nearly double that of domestic voters using postal ballots, according to the Election Commission (EC). Statistics indicate that the active digital participation of expatriates has added a new dimension to the electoral process, which the EC views as a significant advancement. In contrast, postal voting within the country has been progressing at a comparatively slower pace.

According to commission sources, data on ballots received after voting show that, as of 9:30 am on Wednesday, 4 February, a total of 472,410 voters had completed voting via postal ballots for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, while 431,748 ballots had been deposited in mailboxes. Of these, 326,020 ballots have reached Bangladesh, and returning officers have so far received 41,178 ballots.

Election Commission data further reveal that, up to the time of publication of this report, a total of 766,862 ballot papers had been dispatched to destination countries for expatriate voters. Among them, 524,869 expatriate voters have successfully received their ballots.

On the other hand, the pace of postal voting among voters registered within the country remains relatively slow. Of the 662,191 ballots sent to domestic voters registered for postal voting, only 170,989 have been received so far. Among these, 131,691 voters have completed voting and 104,165 ballots have been deposited in mailboxes. Returning officers have, to date, received 12,915 ballots from domestic voters.

The Election Commission stated that every ballot received by post is being collected and preserved with the utmost care. In line with the निर्धारित schedule, these votes will be included in the main vote count.

DBTech/SM/EK/OR