Dhaka, Feb. 8 -- More than 500,000 expatriate Bangladeshis have cast their votes in the upcoming general election through the postal ballot system, according to election officials.

According to the Election Commission (EC), about 534,000 expatriates have voted so far, with more than 428,000 completed ballots having already returned to Bangladesh by post as of 11am on Sunday.

Data from the EC's postal ballot app show that 534,441 expatriates have cast votes, while 484,765 voters have completed their ballots and submitted them to post offices or official mailboxes in their respective countries.

The EC has sent postal ballots to a total of 766,862 expatriates ahead of the 13th parliamentary elections and referendum on Feb 12. As of Sunday...