BNP has called on the Election Commission to extend the voter registration window for expatriate Bangladeshis, citing practical difficulties faced by large migrant communities abroad.
A BNP delegation placed the request on Tuesday during a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission headquarters in Agargaon.
Registration through the “Postal Vote BD” app began last Wednesday across eight regions, each with separate schedules set by the EC. BNP said the timeframe was too limited for many expatriates.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said many expatriates in countries such as Saudi Arabia live in remote areas, making registration challenging.
“We requested that the registration period be extended in these countries so the maximum number of Bangladeshis can become voters,” he said.
He said the EC assured them that an additional registration opportunity would be available for those who miss the main deadlines, which he described as a positive step.
Nazrul Islam Khan said many expatriates do not have national identity cards, and BNP proposed allowing Bangladeshi passports to be used as identity documents for voter registration.
Acknowledging the issue of irregular passports, he said passports should be verified before inclusion. BNP also suggested sending passport photos to verify permanent addresses before adding applicants to the voter list.
The EC has agreed to consider the proposal, he said.
Nazrul Islam Khan added that the EC sought BNP’s cooperation in ensuring a free and neutral election. Responding to a question about a possible referendum, he said the matter was not new since the referendum law had already been passed.
He also expressed reservations over the recent finalisation of police superintendent appointments through a lottery system. Drawing a comparison, he questioned whether journalists would accept assignments decided by lottery rather than merit.
The BNP delegation also included senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, chairperson’s adviser Ismail Zabiullah and former additional secretary of the Election Commission Mohammad Zakaria.
