Postal voting: Bangladeshis worldwide can now register anytime, anywhere

The Election Commission has removed regional restrictions and the previous five-day time limit for Bangladeshi citizens living abroad to register as postal voters, allowing expatriates across the globe to sign up in one continuous process.

Following the decision, Bangladeshi expatriates may now complete their voter registration from any location worldwide and at any time convenient to them. 

The final deadline for registration remains December 18.

The announcement was made by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Tuesday after a meeting with TikTok representatives at the Election Commission Secretariat in Agargaon.

Speaking to journalists, Akhtar Ahmed explained that the earlier system had divided the world into eight geographic regions, with only five days allocated for registration in each region. 

“From midnight tonight – that is, 00:00 hours on November 27 – both the regional restrictions and the five-day deadline will be lifted,” he said. “Expatriates will be able to register whenever it suits them, regardless of where they are in the world.”

He confirmed that the December 18 cut-off date is unchanged.

Acknowledging possible technical hiccups with the newly opened system, the Senior Secretary said some users had previously failed to receive one-time passwords (OTPs) because of address formatting issues. “Any errors that arise will be rectified immediately,” he assured reporters, adding that the Commission’s technical team would resolve problems swiftly based on past experience.

Separately, Akhtar Ahmed announced that a mock voting exercise will take place next Saturday from 8 am to 12 pm at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Government Girls’ High School in Dhaka. 

The rehearsal is intended to test procedures for the upcoming Jatiya Sangsad elections and referendum, both scheduled for the same day.

Outcomes of the mock vote will help determine whether additional polling centres are needed, whether further coordination is required, and whether adjustments to the number of polling booths or staff are necessary.

Referring to the ordinance gazetted on Monday authorising the simultaneous holding of the general election and referendum, Akhtar Ahmed said the Commission had begun mental, logistical, and on-the-ground preparations well in advance. 

“You will be pleased to know that we are proceeding with all advance arrangements,” he added.