Only 12 prisoners in S’ganj to vote via postal ballot

SIRAJGANJ, Jan 26: Ahead of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election, prisoners in Sirajganj District jail have the opportunity to vote through postal ballots. 

However, interest among inmates has been extremely low, with only 12 out of 1,048 prisoners expected to cast their votes-just 1.14 per cent of the total inmate population.

Sources at Sirajganj District jail said the inmate population has fluctuated over time, and currently stands at 1,048. Twelve prisoners registered to vote through postal ballots within the designated period, including 11 from Sirajganj District and one from Tangail.

According to the Election Commission (EC) website, registration for postal ballots through the 'Postal Vote BD' app began on November 18 and ended at midnight on January 5. During this period, 55 prisoners from Sirajganj completed registration.

Election officials noted that, following EC directives, postal ballot voting has been extended to prisoners alongside overseas voters. Under Article 27 of the 1972 Representation of the People Order, eligible inmates who have not yet been sentenced are allowed to vote via postal ballot, while convicted prisoners remain ineligible. Interested inmates must register through the jail authorities for the EC to facilitate their votes.

Dilip Kumar Roy, Officer-in-Charge of Sirajganj District jail, said, "Prisoners can vote through postal ballots via the app. We informed all inmates during roll calls, but only 12 registered."

Jail Superintendent ASM Kamrul Huda added that, following directives from the Department of Prisons, all inmates were encouraged to register.