For the first time in Bangladesh’s history, around one million election officials and others directly involved in conducting polls will be allowed to cast their votes, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A. M. M. Nasir Uddin announced Sunday. The declaration came during a dialogue between the Election Commission (EC) and civil society representatives ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. “In past elections, those serving in the field were excluded from voting. This time, they will be enfranchised,” the CEC said. He added that even prisoners would be given an opportunity to vote, as well as government officials working away from home districts. Nasir Uddin stressed that the dialogue was not mere formality, but part of the Commission’s broader reform efforts, which include updating voter rolls, narrowing the gender gap in voter registration, and implementing postal ballot provisions that had long existed only on paper.