Dhaka, Nov 26 (V7N) — The Election Commission (EC) has lifted regional restrictions and the five-day time limit for voter registration of Bangladeshi citizens living abroad. Following the decision, expatriates will now be able to register from anywhere in the world, at any time, until December 18, and will also be eligible to vote by postal ballot.

EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed briefed reporters after a meeting with TikTok representatives at the EC Secretariat on Wednesday (November 26). He said that although the world had previously been divided into eight regions with a five-day registration window for each, these limitations will no longer apply after midnight tonight.

“Expatriates can now complete their registration at their convenience from any part of the world. The final deadline remains December 18,” he said.

The EC secretary acknowledged that some technical issues may arise during the expanded registration period, such as OTP codes failing to reach certain locations due to address-format complications. He assured that any detected issues would be resolved promptly.

In addition, Akhtar Ahmed announced plans for a mock voting exercise as part of the preparations for holding the national parliamentary elections and the referendum on the same day.

The mock voting will take place at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Government Girls' High School from 8 am to 12 pm on Saturday. The results will guide decisions on whether more polling centers are needed, and whether adjustments to coordination, booths, or manpower are required.

He noted that an ordinance was issued Tuesday to conduct the referendum and national election simultaneously. “We have been mentally preparing since we first sensed this responsibility. Preparations on paper and in the field have also begun in advance. You will be happy to know that we are moving forward with advance preparations,” he added.

END/SMA/AJ