Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has proposed that general and postal votes within the country be cast using the same ballot paper, instead of printing separate postal ballots.
The party also expressed concerns over alleged irregularities in the postal voting process and asked Election Commission (EC) to provide an explanation.
The proposal was shared on Thursday following a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin, where discussions were held on the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election and a referendum.
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed briefed journalists after the meeting.
Salahuddin said the party visited EC to discuss several important issues, including legal provisions and the election code of conduct.
“We explained certain legal points and issues related to the code of conduct, and also raised some concerns. These matters were discussed in detail, and we have been assured that the commission will consider them,” he said.
Addressing the postal voting process, Salahuddin noted that ballots had been sent to expatriate voters but claimed the matter had not been handled properly.
He said officials responsible for preparing and dispatching postal ballots must explain the process, as videos showing large numbers of ballots; sometimes 200 to 300, found in single residences or seized in different locations have surfaced on social media.
In some cases, voting reportedly began ahead of the scheduled date of 22 January.
He acknowledged that errors could occur as postal voting for expatriates is being implemented for the first time, but stressed that such irregularities were harming his party.
Salahuddin also alleged that the process appeared to favour a particular political party and said expatriate voters deserve a clear explanation on how ballots were distributed and how voting arrangements were made.
He added that the role of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in addressing these issues must also be clarified.
On violations of the election code of conduct by various political parties, Salahuddin said BNP had clearly informed EC.
He noted that BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s tour was postponed at the commission’s request, despite it not being a political visit, while EC appeared indifferent to statements or videos released by other political leaders.
He expressed hope that the commission would address the matter fairly.
Regarding the technical proposal on postal ballots, Salahuddin explained that postal voting would be widely used within the country.
BNP therefore proposed that the same general ballot; containing the names and symbols of all candidates contesting in a particular constituency, be used as the postal ballot for that area.
He clarified that there is no need to send ballots with all symbols to every constituency.
The meeting was also attended by BNP Chairman’s Adviser Ismail Zabiullah, former acting EC secretary Dr Mohammad Zakaria and BNP Legal Aid Subcommittee chief Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajol.
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