Around 9,000 expatriate voters from Feni district have been officially registered to vote in Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ mobile application. According to the Election Commission’s website, a total of 20,491 expatriates applied for registration, of whom 8,755 have been approved while 11,736 remain pending. This marks the first time the Election Commission has introduced an IT-supported postal ballot system for overseas voters.

The new system allows expatriates, individuals in legal custody, and election officials on duty to cast their votes remotely. Registration began on November 19 and will continue until December 25. Once registered, voters will receive postal ballots by mail, cast their votes, and return them to the designated returning officer. Officials said the initiative aims to ensure broader participation of expatriates, though only 2.27% of Feni’s overseas population has registered so far.

District officials are promoting the process through social media and direct messaging. The system’s success could influence future national elections and expand digital voting mechanisms for Bangladesh’s large diaspora community.