Originally posted in The Daily Star on 15 January 2026
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed today alleged irregularities in the handling of postal ballots sent to expatriate Bangladeshi voters, saying the Election Commission (EC) must explain how the ballots were prepared, dispatched and counted.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the EC office in Agargaon, Dhaka, Salahuddin said the ballots “were not properly counted” and questioned the role of officials involved in the process.
Earlier in the day, a four-member BNP delegation led by Salahuddin met the CEC to raise what the party described as “serious concerns” over the new voting system for expatriate Bangladeshis.
Salahuddin referred to videos circulating on social media showing postal ballots arriving singly in some places, while batches of 200 to 300 ballots were reportedly received elsewhere.
In some instances, he said, the ballots were seized.
“This is the first time overseas voting through postal ballots is being implemented, so some mistakes could occur,” he said.
“But in this case, we are becoming the victims and are being adversely affected.”
He further alleged that certain actions appeared to have been taken in favour of a particular political party, adding that these were no longer mere impressions but were becoming evident.
He also asked the EC to clarify how ballots were sent abroad, how expatriate Bangladeshis would vote and scan them, and how large batches of ballots could arrive at a single location.
The party also sought clarification on the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in overseeing the process.
Raising concerns about the electoral code of conduct, Salahuddin said voter slips should only contain the ballot number and the candidate’s name or symbol, without party names, logos or photographs.
He argued that a simplified process would encourage higher voter participation.
The BNP delegation also included party chairman’s adviser Ismail Zabiullah, former EC secretary Dr Mohammad Zakaria, and Ruhul Quddus Kajol, head of the party’s Legal Support Subcommittee.
Responding to the allegations, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud told The Daily Star on January 13 that the commission had taken note of the BNP’s complaints. He added that the postal ballots had been arranged alphabetically and that the commission would review the matter further.
