The ball is rolling outside Bangladesh ahead of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad Election and Referendum. As the world converges on news that never ends, the expatriate community is using a mailbox to make its voice known — one envelope at a time from the crowded streets of London to Dubai’s dizzying towers.
In a watershed of the nation’s electoral history, official figures revealed today that some 195,000 expatriate postal ballots have been returned to Bangladesh so far. The increase in voter registrations reflects the success of the pioneering “Postal Vote BD” app, whose principles are deeply rooted in bridging the gap between the diaspora and their homeland’s future.
The Digital Bridge
The OCV-SDI Project, led by Team Leader Salim Ahmad Khan, has transformed how our nation votes. The volume of engagement is unprecedented, said Khan:
The app has sent out 766,862 ballots around the world.
522,315 overseas voters have acknowledged receipt of their papers.
Already been cast by 464,225 expatriates.
Khan responded that he was encouraged that there are still over 418,000 ballots yet to be counted in international post offices or mailboxes.
Homefront Momentum
It’s not just the international figures, though; mail voting in the US is picking up pace, too. The Election Commission (EC) has sent ballots to 646,507 registered voters in Bangladesh—most of whom are engaged in emergency services or are barred from travelling to voting stations. This morning, more than 43,000 of these voters at home have already cast their ballots.
The Numbers at a Glance
A total of 1,533,684 voters, both at home and abroad, have registered on the app to cast their votes by postal ballot. “This is not just a number; it’s proof of trust in the digital evolution of our democracy from our citizens.”
Salim Ahmad Khan, Team Leader of the OCV-SDI Project
A New Chapter
As the 13th JS Election and Referendum stand as a landmark for Bangladesh, the introduction of the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app ushers in a new horizon of participation. For the first time, distance and duty do not suppress the ballot box. And here is one thing that’s certain: no longer is the global Bangladeshi community sitting outside as a mere audience – they are shaping the next chapter of this nation.
Editor’s Note
As Bangladesh prepares for its most momentous election, Cinebuzz Times is committed to bringing you the stories that are directly impacting the future of this country. The ascension of digital voting is not only a logistical achievement; it represents a cultural transition that extends our global family back to its roots. This is an area where some of our democratic values can withstand the influence of globalisation.
