Expatriate Voting Rights must be Ensured for Credible Elections: Speakers

Despite playing a significant role in national development, Bangladeshi expatriates still lack the right to vote. Speakers at a seminar emphasized that the government’s decision to grant voting rights to expatriates is a positive step and should not be hindered by any obstacles.

They asserted that a fair election is not possible while 15 million expatriates remain disenfranchised. Now is the time to restore the voting rights of these remittance warriors.

These remarks were made on Thursday afternoon (New York time) during a seminar titled "Voting Rights of Expatriates", organized by the New York Bangladesh Press Club. The event was chaired by Club President Monowar Islam and moderated by Secretary Momin Majumder.

The Keynote Speech was delivered by Mohammad Mozammel Haque, Consul General of the Bangladesh Consulate in New York. A paper was presented by former Club President Abu Taher, and various community leaders and journalists also spoke during the discussion.

Mozammel Haque stated that the process of registering expatriate voters has already begun. He expressed hope that expatriates would be able to vote in the next national election, calling it a long-standing demand and a fundamental right. He affirmed that the current government is sincere about addressing the concerns of expatriates.

He further added that expatriates contribute to the nation's development from abroad, playing a vital role in the country’s economy. Their investments are creating jobs in Bangladesh, and he encouraged even more investment from the diaspora.

Community leader Manjur Ahmed noted that while the intentions are good, the process is not so easier. For expatriates in the U.S. who have surrendered their Bangladeshi passports and taken U.S. citizenship, obtaining dual citizenship is necessary. However, countries like India and Pakistan have already given voting rights to their diaspora - Bangladesh can too, if it wills.

Dr. Shawkat Ali stressed that granting voting rights to expatriates is now a demand of time. He paid tribute to martyrs like Abu Sayeed, Mughdha who sacrificed their lives for the right to vote, and urged all to pray for their departed souls.

Essayist Abu Taher said, there are 119.66633 voters in the country. Of them, 12.5 million are expatriate voters. Without these 15 percent voters, a good election can never be held. The exercise of this right to vote is their fundamental right.

Mohammad Rosul/H.M. Akhtar
From New York