These details were reflected in the latest August report of the NID subdivision of the Election Commission (EC). On Tuesday (1 September), concerned EC officials confirmed the matter.

According to the report, a total of 99,815 applications were submitted for voter registration abroad. Among them, biometric data of 62,589 people were collected. After scrutiny, 54,477 applications were approved and 26,595 applications were rejected. Another 3,536 applications are awaiting approval.

The highest number of applications came from the United Arab Emirates at 24,825. From the United Kingdom, 18,621 applications were submitted, and from the United States, 18,472 applications were submitted. Besides, a significant number of applications also came from Italy, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Malaysia, Canada, Oman, Australia, Japan, Maldives and South Africa.

According to EC information, expatriate Bangladeshis are currently being provided voter registration and NID services at 24 stations across 14 countries.

In 2019, the process of voter registration and issuing NIDs to Bangladeshis living abroad was launched. Initially, the programme was started in Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile, steps have been taken to bring Norway, Finland, Sweden, Singapore and Bahrain under this programme. Of these, voter registration and NID services were officially launched in Singapore on 4 August.