How expatriates will vote by postal ballot

The Election Commission (EC) has published the process for expatriates to register and vote by postal ballot in parliamentary elections.

The process was approved by the commission led by AMM Nasir Uddin and published on the EC's website on Monday.

EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed had previously said that an app called “Postal Vote BD” would be launched for expatriate Bangladeshi voters.

To register to vote, they must download and install the mobile app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

The app allows users to complete their online registration in a few simple steps to secure their voting rights.

The EC's website (https://www.ecs.gov.bd/page/process-of-postal-voting-it-supported) outlines the 11 steps of the registration process, from downloading the app to receiving the ballot.

The steps for registration are as follows:

• First, the app must be launched.
• A country (other than Bangladesh) has to be selected for a new account using a mobile number.
• A one-time password (OTP) will be sent to the mobile.
• The OTP must be used to verify the number.
• A photograph of the voter must be taken to complete live face verification.
• A selfie must be taken while holding the National Identity (NID) card.
• A photo of the NID must be taken for registration, which will then be verified.
• Passport information will be automatically verified.
• The current overseas address must be provided, where the postal ballot paper will be sent.
• Once the account is verified, the registration will be completed.
• The voter will then wait to receive the postal ballot by mail.

POSTAL VOTING (IT-SUPPORTED) PROCESS

After receiving the official envelope from the EC, nine steps must be followed to confirm receipt, cast the vote, and return it:

• The ballot paper will be delivered to the address given in the app.
• Instructions from the EC will be provided for casting the vote.
• The mobile number must be confirmed.
• A fresh photo of the voter must be taken.
• The QR code printed on the envelope must be scanned.
• Voting must be done on the ballot paper either by marking in sequence or placing a tick mark.
• A sample of the ballot paper will be provided.
• The declaration form inside the envelope must be signed.
• After voting, the ballot paper must be placed inside the return envelope, sealed, and submitted to the nearest post office.

The EC will inform voters about the start time for registration and the deadline for sending the ballot to the returning officer.

Expats can track six steps of the process: ballot creation, dispatch, receipt, return, arrival in Bangladesh, and delivery to the returning officer.

The EC said that the envelopes will be sent to expatriates at a specific time. The ballot paper will only have the symbol of the candidate, not their name. Voters will cast their vote by placing a tick or a cross mark next to the symbol.

Registered expatriate voters will receive a large envelope containing instructions and two smaller envelopes. One envelope will contain the ballot paper.

After voting, they will place the ballot in another envelope (the return envelope) and drop it at the post office, from where it will be sent to Bangladesh.

The returning officer for the respective constituency will count the expatriate votes along with the consolidated results on election day, the commission added.

Newly appointed EC spokesman Ruhul Amin Mollik said that once the process is approved by the commission on Monday, the method and procedures will be widely publicised through the media.

The EC will announce the schedule for the elections in the first half of December, with voting expected in the first half of February 2026.