Biharis cast vote in JS poll for 1st time
Tuesday, 30 December 2008
Stranded Pakistanis, known as Biharis, exercised their franchise for the first time Monday in the 9th parliamentary elections in independent Bangladesh, reports UNB.
The Biharis, who achieved the voting rights following the High Court orders, thronged the polling centers at different places in a festive mood since morning.
The Biharis came out of their respective city slums in the sunny morning and cast votes with a high hope that the next elected government would resolve their problems.
They said that only 20 per cent Biharis could enlist their names in the voters list and sought cooperation from the next government so that the dropped Bihari voters can register their names in the voters list in January.
The Biharis, having the rights to vote, said they are sons of this land as they were born in Bangladesh.
Talking to the news agency, some of the Biharis said their demands have partially been fulfilled as they are allowed to cast votes in the crucial 9th parliamentary elections. "We should no longer be treated as stranded Pakistanis."
Asked if they have any preference for a particular political party, most of the Biharis said they are not particularly worried about this. They are looking for an honest and patriotic government which will ensure their basic rights and serve the nation in a desired manner.
"We will support whoever comes to power," said a young Bihari voter, Shawkat, and hoped that they would soon see change in their pitiful lifestyle.
"We've been passing our days amid immense sufferings over the decades. This should be come to an end," he said.
The Biharis, who achieved the voting rights following the High Court orders, thronged the polling centers at different places in a festive mood since morning.
The Biharis came out of their respective city slums in the sunny morning and cast votes with a high hope that the next elected government would resolve their problems.
They said that only 20 per cent Biharis could enlist their names in the voters list and sought cooperation from the next government so that the dropped Bihari voters can register their names in the voters list in January.
The Biharis, having the rights to vote, said they are sons of this land as they were born in Bangladesh.
Talking to the news agency, some of the Biharis said their demands have partially been fulfilled as they are allowed to cast votes in the crucial 9th parliamentary elections. "We should no longer be treated as stranded Pakistanis."
Asked if they have any preference for a particular political party, most of the Biharis said they are not particularly worried about this. They are looking for an honest and patriotic government which will ensure their basic rights and serve the nation in a desired manner.
"We will support whoever comes to power," said a young Bihari voter, Shawkat, and hoped that they would soon see change in their pitiful lifestyle.
"We've been passing our days amid immense sufferings over the decades. This should be come to an end," he said.