Those who are registered as voters by October 31 will be eligible to vote in the forthcoming general election,” he stated, adding that approximately 1.8 to 2 million new voters are expected to be added to the electoral roll by then.
Alongside new voters, the Election Commission is also working to ensure the participation of Bangladeshi expatriates. “For the first time, expatriate Bangladeshis will be allowed to vote through postal ballots,” said Sanaullah. “However, they must complete an online registration process to participate.” To facilitate this, the Election Commission will launch an awareness campaign in September aimed at informing overseas voters about the registration and voting procedures.
Addressing security and technology measures for the election, Commissioner Sanaullah clarified that no candidate or their agents will be permitted to use drones or quadcopters during the election period. “However, the Election Commission may consider using drones for official observation purposes if necessary,” he added.
Regarding surveillance on polling day, the possibility of deploying CCTV cameras at voting centers is being explored, though no final decision has been made. “Installing CCTV at approximately 45,000 polling stations across the country presents significant financial and logistical challenges,” he explained. “Purchasing or renting such a large number of cameras is not a simple task.”
A dedicated committee is currently reviewing the matter and assessing alternative options. The commission is considering utilizing existing CCTV systems or renting cameras from other organizations to ensure adequate monitoring, he said.