Dhaka, Apr 08 (V7N) – Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin emphasized the Election Commission's commitment to allowing expatriate Bangladeshis to vote in the next general election. He stated that while social and political considerations might limit the scale of expatriate voting, the EC is determined to provide the opportunity for their participation, even if it’s on a smaller scale.

Speaking at a workshop on expatriate voting methods held at the Election Training Institute in Agargaon, Dhaka on Tuesday (April 8), CEC Nasir Uddin outlined the EC's intent to implement a viable solution for expatriates, considering challenges in implementation. The workshop was organized by the Election Commission, and saw the participation of 80 representatives from 22 domestic and foreign organizations, including Election Commission officials.

During the workshop, discussions were held on various expatriate voting methods such as proxy voting, online voting, and postal voting. The CEC acknowledged that implementing expatriate voting presents challenges but reaffirmed that the Election Commission is committed to finding a way for Bangladeshis living abroad to have their say in the next election.

Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah, who presented the keynote address, pointed out that postal and online voting might not be effective methods in the case of Bangladesh expatriates. He recommended that proxy voting would be the most suitable option for allowing expatriates to participate in elections, as it offers a more practical approach to addressing the challenges of overseas voting.

The Election Commission had previously indicated that expatriates could vote through proxy voting and has been reviewing the viability of this method along with others. The workshop provided an opportunity for experts to share their opinions, and the CEC expressed hope that a specific voting method would be determined based on the expert recommendations.

Next Steps: The Election Commission will finalize the expatriate voting method after considering the workshop discussions and take the necessary actions to implement the system in time for the next general election.

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