Bangladeshis in Sydney demand voting rights

peaceful protest in front of Sydney's famous Opera House on Sunday morning, July 20, under the initiative of NCP Alliance Sydney. Their main demand is immediate recognition of the voting rights of expatriates.b

The program is part of a global movement to enfranchise expatriates. Currently, more than 15 million Bangladeshis living abroad, who contribute significantly to the country's economy, education, and diplomacy, are denied the right to vote in national elections.

Protesters held placards and banners demanding recognition of expatriate voting rights as a constitutional right. Plans are underway to share photos and videos of the protest on social media to encourage more people to join the campaign.

Organizers said they will share the experience and visual materials of the Sydney event with Bangladeshi chapters in other countries around the world. Similar protests will soon be held in front of famous landmarks in cities including New York, London, and Toronto.

They added, "This is not a demand for special privileges. This is a call to reclaim our rightful place in the democratic process. We may be outside the country, but we are never absent from the future of the country."

Ahead of the 2026 national elections, the organizers have called on the Bangladesh government and the Election Commission to take urgent action. They want a clear and time-bound roadmap to be announced so that expatriates can vote from the next election onwards.