Spotlight
Expatriates Can Now Vote Online: Postal Ballots Could Flip Close Seats in Bangladesh’s Feb 12 Election
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Postal ballots Bangladesh election dynamics are set to change significantly in the upcoming polls. For the first time in the country’s history, expatriate voters are participating through an IT-supported postal ballot system, a move that could influence results in migrant-heavy constituencies.
The Election Commission (EC) says expatriates, election-duty officials, and people in lawful custody are eligible under the Postal Vote BD system. Voting access for registered expatriates opened from 5:00pm on January 21 via the voting app and web platforms.
⚡ Fast Facts
| Detail | Information |
| 🗳️ National election date | Thursday, Feb 12, 2026 (7:30am–4:30pm) |
| 📣 Campaign window | Jan 22 – Feb 10 (until 7:30am) |
| 📱 System | Postal Vote BD (app + web) |
| 👥 Registered postal voters | 15,33,683 (total, reported) |
| 🏛️ Election duty + custody | 7,61,138 (reported) |
| 📮 Recommended dispatch (expatriates) | By Jan 25 (EC advisory) |
| ⏰ Final counting cutoff | Must reach RO by 4:30pm on Feb 12 |
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Why This Could Change Tight Races🔥
EC officials say many constituencies have been decided by narrow margins in the past. Now, postal voters make up a significant block in several seats.
Over 100 constituencies have more than 5,000 registered postal voters, which means overseas participation could impact the results.
How Postal Vote BD Works 🗳️📱
According to the EC and the official app description, Postal Vote BD is used to register voters and track ballots, while voting itself takes place on a physical ballot paper sent via postal services.
The reported process includes:
- Registration through the app or EC website
- Ballots dispatched to registered addresses
- Voters marking ballots abroad or domestically
- Ballots returned using the system’s instructed method
Election briefings and media reports reference postal return as the confirmed method, with some EC communications also mentioning email-based steps. The EC has advised voters to follow official instructions carefully.
When Will Postal Ballots Be Counted?
The EC has clarified that postal ballots will be counted only if they reach the returning officer by 4:30pm on polling day, February 12.
Ballots arriving after that deadline will not be included, regardless of when they were cast.
Brigadier General Saleem Ahmad Khan, head of the EC’s Out of Country Voting System Development and Implementation Initiative, urged voters to submit ballots immediately after receipt to avoid postal delays.
Constituencies With High Postal Registration 📍
According to updated EC data, constituencies with the highest postal voter registration include:
- Feni-3 – 16,124
- Chattogram-15 – 14,316
- Cumilla-10 – 14,007
- Noakhali-1 – 13,658
- Noakhali-3 – 12,829
These seats are expected to be closely watched on election day.
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What Happens Next 🗓️
- Campaigning runs from Jan 22 to Feb 10 (7:30am)
- Domestic postal ballots will be dispatched after final symbol allocation
- Voting takes place on Thursday, Feb 12, from 7:30am to 4:30pm
As Bangladesh approaches its 13th parliamentary election, postal voting is no longer symbolic. It is operational, measurable, and potentially decisive in determining close outcomes.
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