EC to register Bangladeshi voters in 5 more countries

Staff Reporter :

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has received approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to commence voter registration activities in five new countries, including the United States.
This was confirmed on Wednesday by ASM Humayun Kabir, director general of the National Identity Registration Division.

“We had submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeking approval to initiate voter registration in eight new countries,” said Humayun Kabir.

He added: “In response, we have received permission to begin the registration process in the United States, Maldives, Jordan, South Africa, and Oman.”

He expressed optimism that approval for the remaining countries would be granted in due course.
According to EC sources, the commission had earlier devised a plan to expand voter registration operations to 40 countries.

Currently, with the Ministry’s approval, the EC is conducting registration activities for expatriate Bangladeshis at 16 stations across nine countries-namely the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Italy, the United Kingdom, Kuwait, Qatar, Malaysia, Australia, and Canada.

Following the Ministry’s recent approval for launching the registration process in Japan, the EC is set to begin operations there on Tuesday.
The voter registration activities are administered through the respective embassies, where applicants are required to apply online and then visit the embassy in person to complete the process, including biometric data capture.
Once the newly approved five countries are included, the EC’s overseas voter registration program will span a total of 15 countries.
On the other hand, a delegation of international observers and experts has expressed keen interest in assisting the EC in its ongoing efforts to ensure the participation of expatriate Bangladeshis in the upcoming general elections.
The offer of cooperation was extended during a meeting on Tuesday at the Election Building in Agargaon with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin. Attendees at the meeting included Owen Lipert, a representative from the international observer organisation “The Opposition International,” American political economist Forrest Cookson, and international human rights activist and photographer Shahidul Alam, among others.
Discussions focused on expatriate voter registration, safeguarding voting rights, polling procedures, and establishing effective communication with expatriates through information technology.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Shahidul Alam highlighted the significant interest among expatriates in contributing to the formation of a “new Bangladesh.” He specifically mentioned those who had previously shown resistance by halting remittances during the July uprising and subsequently resumed them.
“We have come together to ensure the active role of expatriates in realising the dream of a new Bangladesh,” he said, adding that “our Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has always emphasised the importance of involving expatriates in the election.”
Shahidul further explained their role: “We aim to be a megaphone, through which the EC’s message reaches expatriates. Often, due to a lack of information, they remain outside the process. Our goal is to raise awareness in that area.”
The delegation members stated their belief that an “inclusive” or participatory election cannot be complete without the inclusion of expatriate voters. Consequently, they expressed their eagerness to participate in the campaign for expatriate registration.
The discussions also covered several proposals for expatriates, including the development of a digital outreach portal, the provision of information in simple language, assistance with registration, and the establishment of information centres at embassies.
Furthermore, the EC has taken an initiative to amend the Representation of the People Order (RPO) 1972 ahead of the next general election.
The commission meeting to be held on Thursday will discuss the draft amendment ordinance of the RPO 1972.
The meeting will be chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital.
Then Awami League government brought changes in the RPO in 2023 ahead of the 12th parliamentary election curtailing the EC’s authority over the postponement or cancellation of the election, which drew criticism from the opposition parties.
As per the existing RPO, the EC can postpone or cancel the election result of one or more than one polling station during the election.
According to the amended RPO, the EC can suspend the results of only those (one or more) polling stations where irregularities have been reported after the failure of law enforcement agencies to stop anomalies.
But the commission can’t suspend or cancel the entire election result of a constituency due to irregularities in one or some polling stations.
The amendment came after the Election Commission cancelled the Gaibandha-5 parliamentary by-election due to irregularities.
As part of the election preparation, the current commission, headed by AMM Nasir Uddin, has already approved in principle the draft Parliamentary Election Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates 2025. The draft code will be finalized and subjected to the RPO amendment.
Besides, the commission meeting will discuss the possible amendments regarding several laws, including the Election Commission Secretariat (Amendment) Ordinance and the Election Officers (Special Provision) Act, as well as the affidavits of candidates and the administrative and financial authorities of EC Secretariat’s officials.