TDS Desk:

BNP on Thursday asked the Election Commission to use the constituency-based postal ballots inscribing the names of candidates and symbols for the In-Country Postal Voting in the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12 next.

The party sought a clear explanation from the Election Commission over the recent viral video regarding the postal ballots sent to Bahrain and how the postal ballots were sent to expatriates as it is a victim of flaw that took place in case of the out-of-country voting system.

A four-member BNP delegation, led by its Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, placed their proposals and concerns on a number of issues at a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city’s Agargaon area.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Salahuddin Ahmed said they discussed several important issues related to the code of conduct as well as the postal voting process.

He said they proposed the same ballot paper used for general voting in a constituency—containing the names and symbols of all contesting candidates—should also be used for postal voting in that constituency. “We have made a clear and logical proposal that postal ballots should include the names and symbols of all candidates of the respective constituencies, just like general ballots.”

The BNP leader said the Commission assured them the proposals would be considered.

Raising concern again over the recent viral video over the postal ballots sent to Bahrain, Salahuddin said the proper consideration is not applied in the preparation and distribution of the postal ballots for expatriates.

“Those who were involved in the preparation and distribution of these postal ballots or those who were responsible for these issues must give an explanation. The Election Commission must give an explanation,” he said.

The BNP leader said videos circulating on social media show that 200 to 300 postal ballots in a single residence and ballot papers are being seized in some places, while in other cases, voting has already begun, even though the postal balloting is scheduled to start on January 22.

He also claimed there are instances where ballots issued in one person’s name are being received by someone else, describing the situation as a clear violation of rules.

Noting that this is the first time expatriate voting is being exercised through postal ballots in Bangladesh, he said some initial mistakes could have occurred. “But the problem is that we are becoming victims of these irregularities. We are being affected. We believe certain actions have been taken in favour of a particular political party. This is no longer an assumption; evidence is emerging,” he alleged.

“A clear explanation must be given on how all the ballots sent to these expatriates were sent,” the BNP leader said.

BNP also drew the Commission’s attention to restrictions on voter slips under the code of conduct.

Salahuddin said voter slips should contain information such as voter number, candidate name and symbol to help voters easily identify their preferred candidates.

“Currently, voter slips cannot contain party names, symbols or candidate photographs. We believe these restrictions should be reconsidered,” he said, adding that the Election Commission has the authority to amend the code of conduct if it deems necessary.

Salahuddin said every candidate distributes voter slips and voters are capable of making their own choices. “We should simplify the election process so that maximum voters can participate.”

He mentioned that BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman recently postponed a planned visit at the request of the Election Commission, showing respect to the Commission. “That visit was neither political nor intended for election campaigning.”

A BNP delegation, led by BNP’s Central Election Steering Committee Chairman Nazrul Islam Khan, on Tuesday also raised concern before the Election Commission over the viral video regarding the distribution of postal ballots in Bahrain.

Nazrul Islam alleged that the video circulating on social media shows leaders of a particular political party handling a large number of ballot papers in Bahrain.

He said the EC told them that the issue has come to their notice and already contacted the Bangladeshi ambassador in Bahrain.

The Commission assured the BNP team that further investigation would be conducted and action would be taken based on the findings.

Later on Wednesday, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed clarified a viral video showing a large number of postal ballots delivered to a single address in Bahrain, saying the incident resulted from differences in the country’s postal delivery system and did not involve any irregularities in the voting process.

He said Bangladesh’s postal ballots are being sent through the Universal Postal Union (UPU) with the assistance of the Bangladesh Postal Department.

“This has happened in the case of Bahrain as the postal systems of some countries including the Middle East are different. There, about 160 ballots have been left in one place in one box,” he said.

Akhtar Ahmed explained that the delivery system there is similar to student hostels, where letters are kept at a designated place and recipients collect their own mail from there.

“Some 160 (postal) ballots were placed in a box. Later, the expatriate Bangladeshi brothers opened the box and divided it among four or five people—whoever lives in the room next to them takes it or delivers it,” he said.

The EC Secretary said a video of the process was recorded and circulated, which he personally thinks should not have been done. “From what we understand, someone posted the video out of excitement at receiving a ballot paper. If you observe carefully, there is no evidence that any envelope was opened.”