Voting Guide For Dummies
Do I need to bring my NID to the polling station?
Contrary to popular belief, you can, indeed, vote without your National ID. What you do need to carry is your voter slip (which should have been sent to your permanent address) containing your name, the name of your polling station and your voter serial number. Not acceptable if you have it written down on the back of a receipt from Babul's Departmental Store.
Where is my local polling station?
Got a local government school in your area? Yes, that's the one. If you don't know where that is, ask the paan chewing owner of the nearest cigarette stall. They know where schools, offices and voting centres are.
Can a Bangladeshi living abroad vote?
Yes, we do have a system allowing for postal ballots where voters living abroad are sent ballot papers in their mail, which they fill up and send back to the election returning officers in Bangladesh. But if you are a non-resident Bangladeshi asking this question two days before the elections, we have bad news… it's a bit too late. Non-resident Bangladeshis have to apply separately to do this and, according to media reports, this year the grand total of people registering for postal ballots was… ONE. Some guy from Gopalganj-1, who is way ahead of the some-million Bangladeshis living abroad. You can be number two if you hurry.
How do I learn about the political candidates' profiles/qualifications and their symbols?
Everybody's affidavits are published by the Election Commission on their website. The affidavits declare in detail the net worth of each candidate, their campaign spending, their educational qualifications and how much gold jewellery their wives own. But you will need a PDF reader to avail this Digital Bangladesh feature. As for who the candidates are, if it's an Awami League candidate, you have probably already seen the person's face hung up from every tree, lamppost etc in your constituency. And if you want to know about the candidates of other parties? Good luck.
If there are any irregularities in the polling booth, where do I complain?
Ideally, you need to complain to the returning officers at the polling centres. Also, in an ideal world, there is no hunger or the Kardashians. If you are not sure of the neutrality of the returning officers, look for one of the reporters hanging around with notebooks and cameras or possibly fighting to be let into the booths. Just make sure whoever you're approaching is not wearing a motorbike helmet.
If I don't like any of the candidates in my constituency, can I vote 'no' this time?
We vote… no. We only had this provision once during 2008 after much fighting from rights activists—and only 0.55 percent of the population used it. The powers that be decided it was a waste of ballot space. If you really can't decide, just go for the candidates of the many obscure minor parties who only seem to make an appearance on ballot papers. Or find out if you're related to any of the candidates—your friend's dad's eldest cousin will do. It's just going to be really funny if you are part of a religious minority and you end up voting for the palm leaf fan.
What will the ballot paper look like?
This is an important one. You have to do your homework and learn about the candidates, and memorise which symbols belong to whom before you cast your vote, because the ballots are basically blank pieces of paper with just the party insignias on them. Please do not mix up langol with kodal with kaaste or any of the several farming tools our political candidates are creatively using as insignias.
If I find someone has already cast my vote, what will I do?
Fear not, fearless voter. You can try and pretend to be your dead grandparent. If that does not succeed, our EC has assured us that if you can confirm your identity to the polling agents with your voter slip, NID or thumb print, then the residing officer will be bound to take your vote. On a signed ballot paper, you will cast your vote and the RO will keep the ballot paper with him/her. This is called a provisional tendered vote—which is counted even if it is not in the ballot box.
Complain to the returning officer… and maybe also let us know ASAP? You can email us at reporting@thedailystar.net or starweekendtds@gmail.com.
Can I vote from a different centre, where I'm not enlisted?
No. Even if it means you have travel by foot, rickshaw, van-gari or teleport, since all other vehicles are basically going to be banned from the streets. We heard there are also boats available with terms and conditions attached.
How long might the voting process be?
Pretty long queues so grab snacks and wear comfortable shoes.
Will I be allowed to take my mobile phone and bag/backpack to the polling centre?
You cannot take your mobile phone with you inside the polling booths. If you must take it, you have to keep it switched off once you enter the booths. The EC also wants to remind you that this isn't KFC and you can't take photos, selfies or give check-ins. You cannot take lighters, explosives or sharp objects into the centre unless you're also wearing a motorbike helmet (for road safety protection, of course).
Are polling booths accessible for disabled persons/are there special services for disabled persons?
If you are disabled, you can bring someone along with you to help you vote—but unfortunately, that's the extent of the accessibility. With most major transport methods banned during the day though, it's anybody's guess how people with physical disabilities will get to the polling booths.