BNP Demands Candidate Names, Symbols on Postal Ballots Amid Bahrain Controversy

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has formally requested the Election Commission (EC) to ensure that constituency-based postal ballots include the names and symbols of all contesting candidates. 

The proposal was made during a meeting on Thursday between a four-member BNP delegation and Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital's Agargaon area.

The delegation, led by BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, argued that postal ballots for the upcoming February 12 national election should mirror the ballots used in general voting. 

“We have made a clear and logical proposal that postal ballots should include the names and symbols of all candidates of the respective constituencies, just like general ballots,” Salahuddin told reporters, adding that the Commission has promised to consider the suggestion.

The meeting also addressed serious concerns regarding the integrity of out-of-country voting. The BNP sought a transparent explanation regarding a viral video from Bahrain that appeared to show irregularities in the handling of postal ballots for expatriates. 

Salahuddin Ahmed alleged that the preparation and distribution process lacked proper oversight, claiming that 200 to 300 ballots were seen at a single residence and that some voting appeared to have started ahead of the scheduled January 22 commencement.

“We believe certain actions have been taken in favour of a particular political party. This is no longer an assumption; evidence is emerging,” Salahuddin alleged, noting that as a major stakeholder, the BNP is falling victim to these flaws.

In addition to balloting issues, the BNP urged the EC to reconsider restrictions on voter slips. Currently, the code of conduct prohibits these slips from displaying party names, symbols, or candidate photographs. 

The BNP argued that including this information would simplify the process and help voters easily identify their preferred candidates.

Addressing the Bahrain controversy earlier, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed clarified on Wednesday that the viral video did not indicate fraud but rather reflected the Middle East’s unique postal delivery system. 

He explained that in places like Bahrain, mail is often delivered to a central box—similar to a student hostel—where recipients collect their own letters.

“Some 160 (postal) ballots were placed in a box. Later, the expatriate Bangladeshi brothers opened the box and divided it... someone posted the video out of excitement at receiving a ballot paper,” the Secretary stated, emphasizing that there was no evidence of envelopes being tampered with.

Despite these clarifications, the BNP remains skeptical. 

Earlier this week, the party's Central Election Steering Committee Chairman, Nazrul Islam Khan, also raised the issue with the EC, alleging that leaders of a specific political party were seen handling large numbers of ballot papers abroad. 

The Commission has reportedly contacted the Bangladeshi ambassador in Bahrain to conduct a further investigation into the matter.