Hasnat urges expats to take part in shaping political leadership

Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser for the Southern Region of the National Citizen Party (NCP), urged expatriates to actively participate in determining the country's political leadership and to exercise their voting rights in the upcoming national election, reports BSS.
"Despite working hard all day, expatriates keep the country's economic wheel running and stay deeply connected to Bangladesh, no matter where they live," he said a video statement on Monday.
Hasnat said, "For over five decades since independence, expatriates have contributed significantly to the national economy, yet they have been excluded from participating in the decisions who hold power or represent them in parliament."
"Even many citizens inside the country were previously denied their voting rights, so expatriates have never had the chance to vote," he added.
Abdullah stated that due to continuous advocacy by the NCP, expatriates will now be able to cast their vote from abroad for the first time in the upcoming parliamentary election.
He urged them to download the Postal Vote BD mobile application and update their voter information using their passport and National ID number to ensure eligibility for voting.
Criticising the attitude of certain political elites, he said many political leaders tend to treat expatriates as third-class citizens or merely labourers. This mindset, he said, must change, as remittance fighters deserve rightful participation in determining the country's future power structure.
Calling upon Bangladeshi expatriates across the world, Abdullah urged them to exercise their voting rights. "The ballot will be your answer-who should lead the nation and who should represent from you in parliament," he said, wishing expatriates good health and encouraging them to take part in shaping the nation's political future.