EC urges swift return of postal ballots on polls day
Staff Reporter :
The Election Commission (EC) has urged voters registered to cast their ballots by post in the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad election and referendum to vote without delay and return their ballots as quickly as possible.
In a message issued on Saturday, the EC made a special appeal to voters who registered through the “Postal Vote BD” mobile application.
The voters have been asked to complete their voting immediately after receiving their ballot papers and to submit the sealed yellow envelopes at the nearest post office or designated letter box.
According to the EC’s message, postal voters must ensure that their completed ballots reach the office of the respective returning officers by 4:30 pm on 12 February 2026. Any ballot arriving after the deadline will not be included in the count.
“Voters who registered through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app are requested to cast their votes promptly after receiving the ballot papers and send the designated yellow envelopes by post within the stipulated time,” the message said.
Salim Ahmad Khan, team leader of the Overseas Voter Registration Project under the OCV-SDI initiative, confirmed the details on Saturday.
He said a total of 1,533,683 voters from home and abroad have registered to vote by post using the mobile application.
The EC’s renewed appeal comes as preparations for the national election and referendum enter a critical phase, with postal voting seen as a key mechanism to ensure participation by expatriate Bangladeshis and voters unable to attend polling stations in person.
Postal voting has gradually gained prominence in Bangladesh as part of broader electoral reforms aimed at widening voter access and improving inclusivity.
In previous elections, expatriate Bangladeshis faced significant barriers to participation, largely due to logistical challenges and the absence of an efficient overseas voting system.
To address this, the EC introduced the “Postal Vote BD” app, allowing eligible voters, including those living abroad, to register for postal ballots digitally.
Under the system, registered voters receive ballot papers by post, complete them following clear instructions, and return them in a pre-designated yellow envelope to the relevant returning officer.
The OCV-SDI project was launched to streamline overseas voter registration and integrate diaspora voters into the national electoral process.
Officials say the strong registration numbers reflect growing awareness and interest among expatriates in participating in national decision-making.
However, postal voting also poses challenges, particularly regarding delivery times and deadlines.
Ballots must travel across borders and postal networks, making timely dispatch crucial.
The EC has repeatedly stressed that ballots received after the deadline cannot be counted under electoral rules, regardless of when they were posted.
Election officials say the current appeal is intended to minimise the risk of votes being excluded due to late arrival.
With international mail often subject to delays, voters are being encouraged to post their completed ballots immediately after voting rather than waiting until the last moment.
The EC has said that strict timelines are essential to maintain transparency and credibility in the electoral process. Postal ballots must be received, verified and incorporated into the overall count before results are finalised.
Civil society groups and election observers have welcomed the expansion of postal voting but have also called for continued improvements in voter education and postal coordination to ensure that registered voters fully understand the process and deadlines.
As the election date approaches, the commission is expected to intensify public messaging through digital platforms, traditional media and diplomatic missions abroad to remind postal voters of their responsibilities.
With more than 12.77 crore voters registered for postal voting, their participation could have a significant impact on both the parliamentary election and the accompanying referendum.
The EC’s message makes clear that timely action by voters will be critical to ensuring that their voices are heard.