Dhaka, May 14 -- The Election Commission (EC) has launched a series of workshops to identify hurdles faced during the simultaneous national election and referendum held in February to leave a functional "footprint" for its successors.

For the first time, voters cast ballots through a two ballot system, while postal ballots were introduced both at home and abroad.

The election schedule was announced with only two months in hand, forcing the commission to complete preparations within a tight timeframe.

Despite strong interest around overseas postal voting, many registered expatriate voters ultimately did not cast ballots.

The counting of two separate ballots was also a new administrative exercise.

Postal ballots were counted only at de...