The Election Commission (EC) has issued guidelines for voters in jails or legal custody to cast their votes in the upcoming National Parliament Elections and Referendums.
According to Rule 10A of the Election Conduct Rules 2008 (Amendment 2025), voters detained in jail or legal custody can exercise their right to vote through the "In-Country Postal Voting" (ICPV) system.
This directive, signed by EC Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain, was sent to the Inspector General of Prisons on Wednesday. The Department of Film and Publications (DFP) shared this information in a press release on Thursday.
Key Features of the ICPV Process
The list of detained voters will be approved by the relevant authorities. Registration will take place via a special digital platform: https://prisoner.ocv.gov.bd/login.
Jail or custody authorities will nominate two representatives to manage the registration process. Once completed, a printed, sealed, and signed list will be sent to the EC. Data will also be uploaded to the portal in .xls or .csv formats.
Registered voters will receive an envelope containing: Two separate ballot papers (one for the National Election and one for the Referendum), Voting instructions and a declaration form, A return envelope addressed to the Returning Officer.
The postal ballots will not feature candidate names—only the allocated symbols with a blank space next to them. Authorities will provide voters with the final list of candidates and their symbols for their respective constituencies.
Voters will mark their choice with a tick (√) or cross (x) next to the symbol (for the election) or next to "Yes/No" (for the referendum). The voter must sign the declaration form with their name and NID number. If a voter is unable to sign, another voter may attest it.
After voting, the ballots are placed in a small envelope, which is then placed inside a yellow return envelope along with the declaration form. This is deposited in a designated box or location within the facility.
The authorities will securely store and hand over these envelopes to the Postal Department as quickly as possible. The Postal Department will then expedite delivery to the respective Returning Officers.
It is noted that no postal charges are applicable for sending these envelopes, as the Government of Bangladesh will settle the expenses.
