DHAKA, Dec 1, 2025 (BSS) - About 123,089 Bangladeshi expatriate voters have, 
so far, registered using an app to vote through postal ballots in the 
upcoming 13th national election and referendum.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) has extended the registration period 
for the expatriate voters through the 'Postal Vote BD' app until December 25. 

Earlier, the registration process for expatriate voters using the 'Postal 
Vote BD App' remained open until 11:59 pm on December 18.

EC Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed revealed this information on 
Monday.

"Regarding out-of-country voting, we had said the deadline was till December 
18. This deadline has been extended till December 25 midnight. According to 
Bangladesh Standard Time, we have extended it by another week; until December 
25," he said.

The EC Secretary said many expatriates have said that it would be better if 
the time is extended. "We also observed that there is an opportunity to 
extend the time. The good news is that the time can be extended."

He said now anyone from anywhere in the world can register to vote by 
downloading the app.

Akhtar Ahmed said the EC will start the registration process for ICPV In-
Country Postal Voting in a 15- day period after the announcement of the 
election schedule.

According to the postal voting update information published on the EC 
website, a total of 1,23,089 expatriate voters have registered through the 
'Postal Vote BD' app until 5 pm today. 

Among them, 1,06,906 are male voters and 16,183 are female voters.

Among the country-wise registrations, 18,114 voters were registered from the 
United States while 10,831 from Saudi Arabia, 9,389 from South Korea, 8,774 
from Singapore, 8,609 from Canada, 7,480 from Australia, 7,016 from the 
United Kingdom (UK), 6,798 from Japan, 5,224 from Italy and 4,725 from South 
Africa.

The EC Senior Secretary said expatriates can register from anywhere in the 
world at any time until December 25. 

"The voting system for Bangladeshis living abroad is an important step in the 
country's history. In addition, the In-Country Postal Voting (ICPV) process 
has also been introduced for government officials participating in the 
election process, voters in legal custody and government employees residing 
outside their own constituencies. About one million voters will benefit from 
this," he said.

On November 18, the Chief Election Commissioner launched the 'Postal Vote BD' 
app.

To vote through postal ballots, expatriate voters must use the mobile number 
of the country from which they will vote. To register, first download and 
install the 'Postal Vote BD' app from the Google Play Store or App Store.

Users can view the necessary documents and instructions for registration on 
the app by selecting Bangla or English language. 

Providing the correct address is essential to ensure receipt of the ballot 
abroad.