Rajshahi, Feb 9 (V7N) — As many as 204 inmates detained at Rajshahi Central Jail have cast their votes using postal ballots ahead of the national election. The jail currently houses around 2,600 detainees and convicted prisoners, but only 273 inmates had completed voter registration to be eligible for postal voting.

Senior Jail Superintendent Md. Shah Alam Khan confirmed the matter, saying that all inmates were encouraged to participate in the voting process. Those who were interested voluntarily registered their names. He noted that two former members of parliament currently incarcerated at the jail chose not to vote, adding that no one was compelled to participate.

According to jail authorities, nearly half of the inmates are convicted prisoners, while the remaining are undertrial detainees. A significant number of the convicted prisoners have been incarcerated for long periods, and many of them were not registered voters, making them ineligible to apply for postal ballots.

Officials also explained that existing regulations discourage some inmates from registering. Under the rules, if an inmate registers for postal voting while in custody and is later released on bail, they are not allowed to vote in person outside the jail. Due to this restriction, many detainees and prisoners opted not to register.

Out of the 273 registered inmates, ballot papers were issued in the names of 204 individuals after verification of their names, addresses, and parliamentary constituencies. Voting through postal ballots took place until Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, 32 registered inmates were released on bail after registration, making it impossible for them to cast their votes.

All 204 completed ballots have been sent to the post office for official processing.

Among those currently detained at Rajshahi Central Jail are former lawmakers Asaduzzaman Asad of Rajshahi-3 (Paba–Mohanpur) constituency and Enamul Haque of Rajshahi-4 (Bagmara). Both leaders from the ruling Awami League did not register for postal voting and therefore did not cast their ballots.

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