Govt working to ensure voting rights for expatriates in next election: Yunus

Interim Government Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has expressed gratitude to Bangladeshi expatriates in Malaysia for their significant contribution to the country’s economy.

“You are making a tremendous contribution to the economy, and we must acknowledge that. We must ensure voting rights for expatriates in the upcoming election,” he said.

He made these remarks on Tuesday during a meeting with expatriate Bangladeshis in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain and Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Professor Asif Nazrul were also present at the event.

The chief adviser said that since taking office, the government has been engaging directly with expatriates and taking initiatives to address their legitimate grievances and problems. Measures have been taken to quickly resolve passport-related complications. In addition, a “Citizen Services Bangladesh” initiative has been launched to deliver government services to expatriates. Work is also underway to develop a special app to connect Bangladeshi expatriates across the globe.

He added that the country’s economy is gradually recovering, with expatriates playing a crucial role in this process. “We have prepared to hand over power to elected representatives and have announced the election schedule. The government is working to ensure voting rights for expatriates. Discussions have been held with the Election Commission, and they are also making preparations,” he said.

The meeting also discussed various issues faced by expatriates, including increasing staffing at embassies, introducing Graduate Plus visas for Bangladeshi students, regularizing undocumented expatriates, and engaging with Malaysian authorities to expand trade and industrial cooperation.

Representatives from various professions, sectors, organizations, and businesses attended the meeting.