Govt to Introduce Postal Voting for Overseas Citizens

Representational photo

The Election Commission (EC) is moving forward with plans to introduce an IT-assisted postal voting system, allowing millions of Bangladeshis living abroad to participate in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, expected in February 2026.

For the first time, verified expatriate voters will be able to register via a dedicated mobile app and receive ballots by post. The completed ballots will then be returned to Bangladesh through the postal service for counting.

Project Proposal and Approval Path

According to EC officials, the commission has submitted a Tk 492.13 million proposal to develop the overseas voting system and pilot an online platform. The project aims to build secure, user-friendly software capable of ensuring both the confidentiality and integrity of votes.

The Socio-Economic Infrastructure Division of the Planning Commission recently reviewed the proposal at a Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) meeting chaired by Dr Qaiyum Ara Begum. The committee recommended approval subject to several clarifications.

As the cost is below Tk 500 million, the plan may receive direct approval from Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud without the need for Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) clearance.

Addressing a Long-Standing Gap

Official estimates suggest over 13 million Bangladeshis — 10.51% of the country’s 123.7 million registered voters — reside abroad, sending home billions in remittances each year. Expatriates have long been excluded from voting, but the EC now targets enabling at least 5 million of them to participate in the first phase.

“The chief adviser has pledged to secure voting rights for overseas citizens in the coming election,” an EC official said, noting the move follows government instructions.

How the Process Will Work

Expatriate voters must first download the voting app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. They will complete an Electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) form, verified against the National ID database. Voters will then undergo multi-step authentication, including a One-Time Password (OTP), facial recognition, and liveliness checks via their phone’s camera.

The EC, in coordination with the Postal Department, will send ballots to verified voters along with a hologram security seal and prepaid return envelope. Upon receiving the ballot, voters will scan a QR code using the app to confirm delivery and complete a second identity check before marking their choice.

Ballots will be returned to Bangladesh and routed to the relevant constituency’s returning officer for counting.

Challenges and Coordination Needs

Officials noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will play a key role in notifying expatriates, while the Postal Department will manage ballot logistics. KM Ali Newaz, additional secretary of the EC Secretariat, cautioned that the first phase may not reach all expatriates due to logistical limitations.

The PEC has asked the EC to revise its Development Project Proposal to clarify voter estimates and procedural details before final approval. Once approved, the EC aims to roll out the system well before election day to allow time for training and testing.