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Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah believes that proxy voting is likely the most effective solution to ensure that expatriates can vote.
Online, postal ballots, and proxy voting are all being considered in an attempt to ensure that expatriates can take part in the polls.
“We now have to select the best of bad options. If we really want to extend the opportunity to vote to our Bangladeshi expatriates, we will have to use one or a combination of all these options.”
“And, if we want to let our expatriates vote on a large scale, then there seems to be no other option but proxy voting. Because the remaining two options – they can be taken to the pilot stage, but it may not be possible to deploy them on a large scale.”
He made the remarks after a meeting with 12 representatives of 10 OIC countries at the Nirbachan Bhaban on Monday.
EC Sanaullah said, “In our country, a person who is physically challenged can vote with the help of another person. Land acquisition is also done through power of attorney.”
He said, “The postal ballot is currently ineffective. We even had discussions today regarding a possible online system. The Egyptian ambassador said that their country’s experience was not good. They started online voting and then stopped it.”
“The representative from Pakistan said that their initial experience was good, but they are not in a position to fully launch an online process.”
Sanaullah said that the EC will take a final decision after meeting with universities, institutions and experts in early April.
He said that a series of meetings are being held with development partner countries and organisations for the exchange of views. The heads of missions of OIC member countries have been invited as a continuation of that process.
“They came today and spoke with us. We informed them about our current activities, the work we have undertaken focusing on the democratic transition and the upcoming national elections. In addition, we expect their cooperation to allow expatriate Bangladeshis to vote in various countries.”
The EC then asked the participants for their views on the best method to allow expatriate Bangladeshis to vote.
Sanaullah said, “They shared their experiences regarding expatriate voting. In particular, some ambassadors have shown interest in cooperation and sending observer teams. We welcome them and will formalise them in due time.”
The election commissioner said that the EC’s various preparations and plans were highlighted in presentations.
Representatives from Algeria, Brunei, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates were present at the meeting.
After the meeting, Malaysian High Commissioner Mohammad Shuhada Othman said, “There is a large number of Bangladeshis in Malaysia. Malaysia is supporting all reform initiatives, including electoral reforms, under this government.”
“We are interested in sharing our experiences, especially on free, fair and acceptable elections for expatriate workers.”