Distribution of national identity cards to Bangladeshis living in Malaysia

A discussion meeting on the distribution of National Identity Cards (NID) to expatriate Bangladeshis and voting in national elections was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarkar was the chief guest at the event held at G Tower in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday (September 14).

The meeting was presided over by Acting High Commissioner Mosammat Shahanara Monika. At the beginning of his speech, Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarkar paid deep respect to the martyrs of the great Liberation War of 1971 and the 2024 mass uprising. He stated that the current Election Commission is particularly concerned about the voting rights of expatriates, and this is the first time that expatriates will have the opportunity to vote in national elections. The Election Commission is working relentlessly towards this end

Explaining the voting process, the Election Commissioner said that a plan has been taken to introduce 'IT-assisted postal voting' for expatriates. There will be an opportunity to register voters online and to vote through a mobile app; they will have to register. After registration, ballot papers and return envelopes will be sent to the voters' addresses by post. Voters will fill in their votes and post them in the designated envelope, which will reach the concerned Returning Officer. Voters will also be able to track the status of their votes online. He sought cooperation from expatriates.

Acting High Commissioner Mosammat Shahanara Monika thanked the Election Commissioner and stated that the High Commission would conduct various campaigns to exchange views on the voting process and provide assistance to expatriates in voting.

Representatives of the expatriate community, various professionals, representatives of social and cultural organizations, students, journalists, and officials and employees of the High Commission were present at the meeting.