Though the Election Commission (EC) has kept the provision of postal votes, UK expatriates are not showing any interest. So far, only two expatriates have expressed interest to vote via post, one from Sylhet and the other from Moulvibazar.
To vote via the postal system, an application has to be made 15 days in advance, therefore, at the moment, there isn’t enough time for the system to be followed.
Community leaders feel that the lack of interest about postal vote is due to the absence of a government campaign about the system.
London based Bangladeshi community leader, KM Abu Taher Chowdhury, says, “If the embassy carried out publicity then the expatriates would have known about the system.”
UK BNP’s President MA Malek says, “Around 300 of our workers and leaders are going to the country to cast their votes.’
UK Jubo League General Secretary Jamal Khan said, “Many of our workers are already in Bangladesh and others are on the way.”
East London based travel agency, Surma Travels, says that until Dec 30, tickets to Bangladesh in Biman and other airlines are almost sold.
For postal votes, an application has to be made to the returning officer 15 days prior to voting.