The Election Commission (EC) has issued a circular providing detailed instruction on required documents for registering expatriate Bangladeshis as voters.
The circular states that an online filled application form (Registration Form 2A), a copy of Bangladeshi birth registration certificate (online verified), a copy of a valid or expired Bangladeshi passport, a copy of a foreign passport, or a citizenship certificate (in the prescribed form) signed by three Bangladeshi NID holders residing in the relevant country will be required for voter registration and issuance of national identity cards for expatriate Bangladeshis.
In addition, the applicant must submit a copy of the applicant's parents' NID, birth certificate, death certificate (if deceased), passport copy, heir certificate or copy of the citizenship certificate proving that he/she is a resident of Bangladesh. One copy of a color passport size photograph must be submitted.
Where applicable, educational certificate (SSC/equivalent, JSC or PEC certificate), special information form for special areas declared by the Election Commission (56 Upazilas/Thanas of Chattogram Division), marriage certificate and national identity card of husband/wife, applicant's citizenship certificate (issued by councilor, chairman, mayor, CEO or administrator) and copy of utility bill or holding tax receipt with relevant address may be required.
The circular also stated that the applicant will have to appear in person on the date specified in the appointment received from the mission office, submit the required documents to the concerned registration center (mission office), and provide a photograph and biometrics (ten fingerprints, iris, signature).
Other necessary documents can also be submitted to the registration center.
However, if necessary, the representative residing in Bangladesh on behalf of the applicant can submit the said documents to the investigation officer i.e. registration officer (relevant upazila/thana election officer).
In addition, based on the information provided in Form 2A prescribed for expatriates, an on-site investigation report will be prepared by the upazila or thana election officer of the concerned voter area, which is mandatory for registration.
The commission is going to launch the Expatriate Voter Registration App on November 18, ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament Election.
END/ZAK
