The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has demanded that, in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, postal ballots used within the country should include the candidates’ names alongside their electoral symbols. The party has submitted a formal proposal to the Election Commission (EC) in this regard.
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed conveyed this to journalists on Thursday after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Dhaka.
He said that postal ballots will be used mainly within the country, so BNP has proposed using the same constituency-wise ballots that include candidates’ names and symbols as postal ballots.
He added that there is no need or feasibility to send ballots with all symbols nationwide, and expressed hope that the Election Commission would accept the proposal, noting that the EC has said it will consider the matter.
He also said that the EC had been asked to explain various irregularities in the preparation and overseas dispatch of ballots. Salahuddin Ahmed stated: “In the postal ballots sent for expatriates, the matter was not properly considered. Those responsible for preparing and dispatching the postal ballots must provide explanations.”
He added that social media videos show large numbers of ballots found in single houses, ballots being seized in some areas, voting starting before the scheduled date, and instances of people receiving ballots using others’ identification numbers, indicating widespread irregularities.
He said that BNP is being harmed by irregularities in postal ballots, noting that while some mistakes are expected in a first-time process for expatriate voting, the current errors are victimizing BNP and appear to favor a particular political party.
Regarding voter slips, he said they help voters participate more easily by providing key information, but the decision to exclude party names, symbols, or candidates’ photos needs reconsideration.
He further said: “Since the Election Commission has the authority to amend the code of conduct, this matter should be taken into consideration. ‘Every candidate will distribute voter slips. If voters receive voter slips, they will decide for themselves whom to vote for.’ But the process must be made easier. We do not want to make elections difficult; we want to make them easier so that the majority of voters can cast their votes.”
Senior EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed was also present at the meeting.