British citizens residing overseas can now register to vote in UK general elections, irrespective of how long they have lived outside the UK.

A new law has eliminated the previous 15-year time limit, as announced by the British High Commission.

In support of the UK’s Electoral Commission’s awareness campaign, the British High Commission in Dhaka is urging British residents in Bangladesh to verify their eligibility.

The Electoral Commission is the independent and impartial body that oversees elections in the UK.

Those who have previously lived in or been registered to vote in the UK are now entitled to vote in UK parliamentary elections.

They can register online at www.gov.uk/registertovote and will need to confirm their personal details every three years.

Anyone on a UK electoral register is also considered an eligible donor to UK political parties and campaigners.

“A change in UK law means that more British citizens living abroad are now eligible to vote in UK Parliament elections. It’s important that eligible people are made aware of the changes so that they can register to vote and cast a ballot when the time comes," stated British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke.

“If you used to live in the UK or know anyone who did, let them know they may be able to have their say at the next UK general election. It only takes five minutes to register, and it can be done online at gov.uk/registertovote. It’s also now possible to apply online to vote by post or proxy.”

Applicants will need to provide details of the address and time they were last registered or resident.

Local authorities must be able to verify an applicant’s identity and past connection to the area.

UK parliamentary elections include UK parliamentary general elections, UK parliamentary by-elections, and recall petitions. Eligibility for other types of elections has not changed.

Just over 230,000 people were registered as overseas voters in the 2019 general election.

Many voters living abroad choose to apply for absentee votes. Applications to vote by post or proxy in Great Britain can now also be done online.

This change is part of the UK Government’s Election Act, passed in 2022.

The deadline for registering to vote is 11:59 pm on Tuesday, June 18.