Political parties in Bangladesh on Tuesday raised sharp concerns over the fairness and secrecy of the expatriate postal voting system, warning that unresolved flaws could undermine confidence in the February 12 parliamentary election.

 

At a briefing by the Election Commission (EC) in Dhaka, opposition figures, including the BNP, pointed to viral images of postal ballots from abroad, alleging lapses in ballot security and secrecy. They questioned ballot design, claimed possible bias in party placement, and criticised the QR code-based system, arguing that lost or misused ballots could disenfranchise voters.

 

Candidates also complained of poor access to overseas voter lists, limiting their ability to reach expatriates, while parties warned that symbol similarities on ballots could confuse voters abroad. Concerns were raised over voters allegedly sharing images of completed ballots on social media.

 

The EC insisted the system is legally protected and technologically secure, warning of strict penalties for violations. However, officials admitted logistical pressures and tight timelines in managing overseas voting. Despite assurances that safeguards are in place, parties said doubts over transparency, access and perception remain, raising questions about the credibility of expatriate voting in a tightly contested election.