The Dhaka Times Desk Those living abroad are eager to become voters. Because even if they are abroad, their mind is in the country. This time expatriates are being given the opportunity to become voters. Find out how expatriates can become voters today.
The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has taken the initiative to vote about one crore Bangladeshis living abroad. EC also plans to open desks in Bangladeshi embassies as part of this initiative. Expatriates can become direct voters by presenting documentary evidence through these desks. Therefore local server stations will be set up in the embassy.
There will also be a temporary registration center at a convenient location. It has been informed that expatriates will be voted by staying there for a maximum of 2 weeks. Expatriates will also get smart cards just like the voters of the country. It has been reported that this initiative will be taken in the initial phase in the Middle East and South Asian countries. These countries include Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Malaysia. This information is provided from the draft proposal regarding expatriate voting.
According to media reports quoting EC sources, the draft proposal calls for district/province-wise voting considering the number of expatriates. EC will encourage them to become voters by mass media campaign including social media. Foreign offices will be opened in embassies and local servers will also be set up. So that expatriates can come and vote on holidays or off-time. Also the representative team can be kept 2 days a week during working days.
It is learned that in the first phase, only the information of expatriates will be collected. Information can be given by appearing at the registration center subject to filling the registration form online through the internet and adding the necessary information there. Citizens can become voters according to their permanent address and passport permanent address of Bangladesh. Copy of Bangladeshi passport as documentary evidence/Certificate of dual citizenship of foreign passport holder or photocopy of passport of Bangladeshi citizens as identification. Besides, according to the applicant's permanent address, the election officer of the concerned upazila/ police station will be appointed as the registration officer.
Registration centers will also be set up for a few days in areas where the number of Bangladeshis is high. After application entry of applicant online, photo and biometric data (small 10 fingers and eye iris) will be accepted in the account by informing the specified place and date. However, those who are unable to apply online will be kept a print copy after collection of information.
Then the image and biometric data will be temporarily uploaded to the server through the VPN connection. It will be verified whether or not the data of expatriate registration has been submitted through the official account related to online registration with the Registration Officer.
Sources also said that if the online application form is correct, it will be directly deposited in the account of the concerned police station/upazila election officer or registration officer. The officer concerned will verify and investigate the voter's application and provide the information, so that the expatriate branch can upload its data (of the concerned voter) to the main server and collect the identity card quickly. Besides, if the applicant is ineligible for registration, that matter will also be informed promptly.
The draft also states that Bangladesh Voter Registration System (BVRS) and a team of 6 members including 1 IT expert, 1 technical expert and 4 data entry operators will be formed. However, if more than 4 teams are sent to any country, there is a recommendation to send an official as supervision in that proposal.
The Ministry of Home Affairs was the first to use the EC database to vote expatriates. In this regard, through the Saudi Embassy, the Ministry of Home Affairs through the Prime Minister's Office also sent a proposal in this regard to the commission. The commission rejected their proposal outright. Previously, Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad had taken the initiative to make expatriates voters.
Their proposal also includes online collection of biometrics for expatriates through NID. Prepared a proposal to allow expatriates to vote while abroad, superseding the previous proposal. Which is expected to be presented to the commission soon after review.
It should be noted that the High Court declared that the constitution recognized the voting rights of expatriate Bangladeshis in 1998, but their right was not implemented for 18 years. Over 10 million expatriates are staying in 157 countries of the world. Expatriates will also get constitutional recognition if they are voted.
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