DHAKA, March 17, 2025 (BSS) - Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries today assured of helping expatriate Bangladeshis to cast votes in Bangladesh's next parliament elections as its mission chiefs met with election commissioners to discuss polls preparation at the Election Commission (EC) headquarter. 

"The heads of missions from OIC member countries stationed in Bangladesh assured of providing assistance to expatriate Bangladeshis to exercise franchise in next elections," Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd) Abul Fazl Md Sanaullah told newsmen after the meeting.

He said the OIC envoys gave the assurance as the election commission sought help from them so that the expatriates living in those countries could cast votes. 

"Several of them expressed their willingness to extend their help," he added.

The envoys also suggested inviting overseas election monitoring teams as "we have welcomed it," the election commissioner said. 

They were also informed about the preparation the EC took for upcoming 13th parliament election, he continued.

About the process of taking votes from the expatriate Bangladeshis, Md Sanaullah said, "We are mulling three proposed options - a time-bound postal ballot system, an online voting mechanism, and proxy voting". 

"But, we have not finalized any of these three models yet. We are discussing all models," he said. 

Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Mohd Shuhada Othman in his remark said his country is willing to share its experience especially for the overseas voters, and free fair and credible election.

Chief election commissioner (CEC), four election commissioners, EC secretary and its high officials were present at the meeting.