The number of Bangladeshi expatriates registering to vote in the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum has surpassed 445,000, according to the latest update from the Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday at 9:30 pm. Registration has been conducted via the Postal Vote BD app, allowing citizens residing abroad to participate in the electoral process for the first time through an IT-supported postal ballot system.
As of Tuesday evening, a total of 445,026 expatriates have registered. Among them, 417,359 are men and 27,665 are women. An additional 6,608 applicants are awaiting approval, while 438,418 registrations have already been validated by the commission.
This marks the inaugural implementation of the IT-supported postal ballot, designed to enable not only expatriates but also individuals under legal custody and election officials to cast their votes remotely. Registration began on 19 November and will remain open until 25 December.
The EC has clarified that postal ballots will be sent to registered voters’ addresses via mail. Voters will cast their ballots and return them to the respective returning officers in secured envelopes.
Registration is currently underway in a wide array of countries, including: South Korea, Japan, South Africa, China, Egypt, Mozambique, Libya, Mauritius, Hong Kong, Brazil, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Liberia, Botswana, Kenya, Rwanda, Algeria, Angola, Tanzania, Somalia, Ghana, Guinea, Morocco, South Sudan, Chile, Sierra Leone, Ecuador, Taiwan, Argentina, Australia, Central African Republic, Gambia, Peru, Zimbabwe, the United States, and Saudi Arabia, among others.
EC officials have emphasised that previous postal ballot efforts were largely ineffective, prompting the introduction of this IT-supported system. Early responses from expatriate voters have been positive, according to the commission. They further noted that once registration for legally detained individuals and election officers begins, it will provide a clearer picture of voter engagement among these groups.
Looking ahead, the EC is preparing for the first phase of the 13th National Parliament election and referendum in February, aiming to mobilise around 5 million expatriate voters for participation in the democratic process.
Overseas Voter Registration Summary (as of 16 December 2025)
| Category | Number of Voters |
|---|---|
| Total Registered | 445,026 |
| Male Voters | 417,359 |
| Female Voters | 27,665 |
| Pending Approval | 6,608 |
| Approved Registrations | 438,418 |
| Registration Period | 19 November – 25 December 2025 |
| Target Expatriate Voters | 5,000,000 |
| Voting Method | IT-supported postal ballot via Postal Vote BD app |
The introduction of the IT-supported postal voting system represents a significant step forward in ensuring inclusivity for Bangladeshis living abroad, allowing millions to exercise their democratic rights securely and efficiently.