EC wants to ensure expats' voting rights in next election: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner CEC AMM Nasir Uddin has said the Election Commission (EC) wants to ensure the voting rights of expatriate Bangladeshis in the next election, even if it is conducted on a limited scale.

However, support of all stakeholders including political parties is needed to make any electoral measures a success, he said.

"All preparatory moves are underway in this regard, but cooperation of political parties and stakeholders is necessary," he opined.

The CEC came up with the remaks while addressing the inauguration of a seminar titled 'Development of Voting for Diaspora Bangladeshis' organised by the Election Commission (EC) at its headquarters in the capital's Agargaon area on Tuesday.

Representatives from various political parties including BNP and Jamaat, senior journalists, election commissioners and other prominent figures joined the programme, among others.

The CEC said decisions have to be made considering the socio-economic realities of different countries in the world, adding that the seminar aims to disseminate what we have done regarding the voting rights of expatriates during this time.

"We have called everyone to work together instead of being organised separately so that everyone can give their constructive feedback."

He said there is no single mechanism that can fit all the countries.

"We want to start according to our capabilities. For this, our experts are working on the voting system for expatriate citizens of different countries. Hopefully, we will be able to reach the goal."

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