EC against sharing postal ballot images on social media

The Election Commission (EC) has issued a warning to voters casting ballots by post ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election, saying any voter who shares photos or videos of postal ballots on social media will face legal action, including the blocking of their National Identity Card (NID).

In a press release sent to the media on Sunday (January 4), the EC said maintaining the secrecy of postal ballots is both a constitutional right and a responsibility of every voter. Sharing any voting-related information, including images or videos of ballots, on social media platforms is a punishable offence under the law.

The commission said voters involved in such activities will face necessary legal action, including NID blocking, and urged all postal voters not to publish or share any postal voting-related content online.

According to the EC, registration for voting by postal ballot began on November 19 and will continue until Monday. Under the system, expatriate voters, government officials and employees engaged in election duties, and individuals in legal custody will be able to cast their votes by postal ballot in the national referendum and the 13th parliamentary election scheduled for February 12.

The EC said postal ballots will be sent in phases to returning officers starting January 22. As of 11:30am on Sunday, a total of 1,317,913 voters had registered for postal voting. The list includes expatriate voters, government officials and employees assigned to election duties, and incarcerated voters.

The commission reiterated that strict compliance with postal voting rules is essential to ensure the integrity, transparency and credibility of the upcoming election and referendum.