The Election Commission has sought assistance from OIC member countries to ensure voting by the expatriate Bangladeshis in the upcoming national election.
“We’re expecting their (OIC countries) cooperation about the voting of Bangladeshis living in different countries,” said Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaulla after a meeting with the envoys of OIC countries in Dhaka.
The mission heads of 10 OIC countries stations in Dhaka were present at the meeting held at Nirbachon Bhaban in the capital.
Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, three election commissioners and the EC secretary were present.
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Md Sanaullah said the heads of the missions of the OIC member countries were invited to the meeting as part of a series of views-exchanges with the development partner countries and organisations.
“We’ve informed them about our current activities, democratic transition and all the activities we have undertaken focusing on the upcoming national elections. We also expect their cooperation regarding the voting of our expatriate Bangladeshis living in various countries.” he said.
The Election Commissioner said the foreign diplomats shared their experiences regarding the overseas voting. “In particular, some ambassadors expressed their willingness to extend cooperation and send observers (in the next national election). We have welcomed them,” he said.
In the meeting, the EC discussed its preparation, future action plans and possible areas of cooperation through a formal presentation, said Md Sanaullah.
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He said the Election Commission wants to set a good democratic instance with its future-oriented action plans.
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“We don't want to walk back towards the past anymore. We want to move forward. We want to create a good democratic example,” he said replying to a question.
Sanaullah for Proxy System
Responding to another question, the election commissioner said they shortlisted three systems – postal, online and proxy balloting system— to ensure the voting of the expatriates.
He, however, said the postal ballot is currently ineffective. “Discussions were held with them (foreign diplomats) today about the online method,” he said.
In this regard, the Egyptian ambassador said their experience was not good as they started and stopped online voting.
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The Pakistani representative said their initial experience was good, they are not in a position to fully launch online from trial level.
About the proxy balloting system, the election commissioner said this system is in operation in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. The proxy system is also in operation in India for soldiers.
He said now a person with physical challenges can also vote with the help of another person in Bangladesh. Besides, lands and other assets can be sold by another person through power of attorney.
“If we want to let our expatriates vote on a large scale, then there seems to be no other option than proxy voting. Because the remaining two options can only be introduced on piloting level and may not be introduced for a large scale," said Md Sanaullah.
Talking to reporters, Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Mohd Shuhada Othman said Bangladesh has a big number of expatriates who are currently living in Malaysia.
“Malaysia also supports all the reforms including the electoral reforms being undertaken by the Bangladesh government,” he said.
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“Malaysia is willing to share its experience especially for the overseas workers for free, fair and credible elections,” said the envoy.
The representatives from Algeria, Brunei Darussalam, Egypt, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates were present at the meeting.