Egyptian expatriates can register to vote in the country's upcoming parliamentary elections from January 8 and until February 18, said the High Elections Commission on Thursday.

The date may be amended to suit the timing of the elections which is yet to be set, the state news agency has reported Samir Abu al-Maaty from the Appeals Court as saying.

The registration period had ended on April 4, 2012 just before the presidential elections in Egypt.

The total number of registered expatriates is 514, 000 from the four million eligible voters who are spread over 166 countries around the world.

Voters must be at least 18 years of age prior to the call for elections and they must have national identification numbers and the right to practice their political rights.