For the first time in a national election, Bangladeshi expatriates will be able to exercise their voting rights through a technology-assisted postal ballot system, Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarkar has said.

Speaking at a views-exchange meeting and National Identity Card (smartcard) distribution ceremony in Malaysia, the Election Commissioner outlined the initiative aimed at ensuring voting rights for Bangladeshis living abroad.

The event was held on Sunday at G Tower in Kuala Lumpur with Acting High Commissioner Mosammat Shahanara Monica in the chair.

Highlighting the commitment of the present Election Commission, Anwarul Islam Sarkar said, “The current Election Commission is very sincere about the voting rights of expatriates. For the first time, expatriates will be able to exercise their franchise in the national election. To this end, the Commission has planned to introduce a ‘technology-assisted postal voting’ system.”

Explaining the voting procedure, he said expatriates will have the opportunity to apply and register online. After completing registration via a mobile application, ballot papers and return envelopes will be sent to their addresses by post.

After casting their vote, expatriates will post the ballot paper in an envelope specified by the Election Commission, which will be delivered directly to the concerned Returning Officer.

Additionally, voters will be able to track the status of their ballots online. The Commissioner sought the cooperation of expatriate Bangladeshis in ensuring the success of this process.

Acting High Commissioner Shahanara said the High Commission would carry out all necessary campaigns to ensure the participation of Bangladeshis abroad in the voting process as per the Commission’s instructions.