A total of 41 prisoners of Natore District Jail will cast their votes through postal ballots in the upcoming 13th national parliament election and referendum, marking the first time prisoners are being given this opportunity. Photo : BSS

NATORE, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS) - A total of 41 prisoners of Natore District Jail will cast their votes through postal ballots in the upcoming 13th national parliament election and referendum, marking the first time prisoners are being given this opportunity.

Sources at the district jail said the registration of the interested prisoners has been completed by linking them with the Election Commission’s prescribed PIDS software.

At present, Natore District Jail houses 815 inmates. Of them, 568 are under trial, including 29 women, while 218 are convicted prisoners, including four women. 

Following the Election Commission’s announcement allowing prisoners to vote, the jail authorities conducted a two-week motivational campaign among detainees and prisoners. As a result, 41 prisoners—17 under-trial detainees and 24 convicted prisoners—expressed interest in participating in the voting process.

The registration process was carried out between December 25, 2025 and January 5, 2026. Only the registered prisoners will be eligible to vote in the general national election and referendum.

District Jailer Sheikh Md Russell said that after the allocation of election symbols, the Election Commission will supply postal ballot papers for both the parliamentary election and the referendum, along with voter instructions and declaration forms. 

Voters will cast their ballots secretly by marking their preferred choice after reviewing the candidates, symbols and referendum questions. In the case of illiterate voters, assistance will be allowed, with a verifier signing the declaration form.

After voting, the ballot papers will be sealed in white envelopes provided by the Election Commission and submitted to the jail authorities, who will then send them promptly by post to the respective returning officers, he added.

Jail Superintendent Jahanara Begum confirmed that all necessary preparations have been completed to ensure a smooth voting process once the postal ballots are received.

She said effective measures will be taken to collect and dispatch the completed ballots to the concerned returning officers in due time.