This case study explores Bangladesh’s migration trends, highlighting its status as the sixth-largest source of international migrants in 2020 and underscoring the significant impact of migratory movements on the nation.

It examines the electoral enfranchisement of Bangladesh’s absent voters, revealing a stark dichotomy: while legal provisions formally grant overseas voters the right to vote, complex and restrictive postal voting procedures prevent them from exercising this right in practice. The study concludes by outlining potential reforms to enhance electoral participation among absent voters.

This paper is part of a series of eight case studies on absent voters in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.