In 1997 an advocacy group from the UK sought legal intervention and was able to obtain a verdict which clearly stated that any person holding a Bangladeshi passport should be eligible to become a voter, but this verdict was never implemented hence the present government deserves our accolades for initiating the process and committing themselves to including the expatriates in the future electoral rolls. The modalities of enrolling and casting votes may be obtained from the rules currently in vogue in other countries through the Embassies/High Commissions/ MoFA.

Such a large expatriate community cannot be left out in exercising their choice to elect a representative to protect their interests in the highest law making body, especially under a democratic system. Considering the contribution of this community to the nation by way of their remittances, their sense of patriotism, their dream of seeing a prosperous motherland, their ability to invest are all the more reasons to involve them in the decision making process of electing a representative on their behalf.

One thing that needs to be clarified by the Election Commission is that the current election rules make an expatriate ineligible to contest in a General Election if he/she has obtained the citizenship of another country. Currently, GoB has signed Dual Nationality agreements with some countries, most notably Australia, Canada and a few others. Expatriates of these countries might consider contesting in the future elections as the election rules are being framed to allow and encourage honest, capable, educated, patriotic and "clean" money holders to participate, thus creating a "level playing field." By being a voter will such expatriates be eligible to contest future general elections under the existing rules? If not, then this rule need to be waived at least for citizens of the countries with whom GoB has signed Dual Nationality agreements. This will encourage willing, patriotic, resourceful and committed expatriates to at least consider contesting in elections and thereby find a way to get involved in the "highest form of social service" which is politics in their native land. This compliments the "Reverse Drain Philosophy" as well.

I hope the Election Commission will let our dream come true by not only making us voters but also clearing the way to get involved in the service to the nation by making us eligible to contest in elections.