More than 307,000 Bangladeshi expatriates have registered to vote in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app, according to the Election Commission (EC). As of Thursday morning, 284,173 men and 23,219 women had completed registration. The EC began dispatching ballot papers to registered expatriates on Tuesday, marking the first time Bangladesh has introduced an IT-supported postal voting system.

The initiative allows expatriates, individuals in legal custody, and election officials on duty to cast their votes remotely. Registration, which opened on November 19, will continue until December 25. Eligible voters from countries including South Korea, Japan, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and several African nations are participating. The EC aims to engage up to five million expatriate voters through this system.

Officials say the postal ballots will be sent to voters’ registered addresses, and completed ballots must be mailed back to returning officers. The EC is preparing to hold the election in the first half of February, viewing this digital voting expansion as a milestone in inclusive electoral participation.