Dhaka, Jan 06 (V7N)- The registration period for voting by postal ballot in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum, both at home and abroad, has officially ended.

According to the Election Commission (EC), the deadline expired at midnight on Monday (January 5).

The EC said a total of 15,33,682 voters have registered to cast their votes through postal ballots.

Of these, 7,61,140 voters registered from within the country. Among them:

  • 5,75,200 are government employees

  • 1,69,642 are election officials

  • 10,100 are members of Ansar and VDP

  • 6,283 are voters currently in prison

Meanwhile, expatriate Bangladeshis from 123 countries have registered for postal voting. Saudi Arabia recorded the highest number of registrations, with 2,39,186 expatriate voters enrolled.

The registration process for expatriates began on November 19 through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ mobile application. In addition to overseas Bangladeshi voters, three categories of voters within the country were allowed to register through this system:

  • Persons engaged in election duties

  • Government employees posted outside their constituencies

  • Voters in legal custody (prison inmates)

The Election Commission said that after the allocation of electoral symbols on January 21, registered postal voters will be able to cast their votes for candidates of their respective constituencies.

Ballots will be sent by return mail starting the following day. Voters will cast their votes by selecting their preferred candidate through the digital platform, verifying constituency-wise candidate names and symbols, and placing a tick mark accordingly.

The EC expressed optimism that the postal voting system will ensure broader participation, particularly for expatriates and voters unable to be physically present at polling centers.

END/SMA/AJ