Bangladeshi expatriates living in the United States can now register for and collect their National Identity Cards (NID) directly from the Bangladesh Consulate General office in New York, following the formal inauguration of the service.
The initiative will enable expatriates to access essential NID-related services without travelling to Bangladesh, easing their ability to complete legal and administrative procedures at home. Officials noted that the NID will also facilitate property-related legal processes in Bangladesh and may pave the way for postal ballot voting in the future.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Election Commission senior secretary Akhtar Ahmed as the chief guest and Consul General Md Mozammel Haque as the special guest.
“This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to the welfare of expatriate Bangladeshis,” said senior secretary Akhtar Ahmed. He added that preparations were underway to expand the service to other consular offices in Los Angeles, Washington DC and Miami.
Consul General Mozammel Haque assured full cooperation in delivering the new service and urged community leaders to help spread the word among Bangladeshi expatriates.
Applicants can now begin the process through the online portal by submitting documents and completing biometric verification at the consulate. The launch has already sparked widespread enthusiasm among the expatriate community in New York.
Bangladesh Society president Ataur Rahman Selim, trustee board chairman Shah Newaz, FOBANA secretary and Sandwip Society president Firoz Ahmed, former Chattogram Society president Kazi Azam, as well as community leaders Abdul Latif Samrat, Zillur Rahman Jillu and Anwarul Islam Anwar were among those present.
Several expatriates welcomed the development.
“We who are active in US politics never had the opportunity to vote from abroad. The government has now taken this initiative, and we appreciate it,” said BNP chairperson’s special adviser on foreign affairs committee Golam Faruk Shaheen.
He added, “Our acting chairman Tarique Rahman was the first to raise this demand for expatriate voting. This proves his sincerity towards the diaspora, and today his demand has been fulfilled.”
New York-based businessman Kamrul Islam Soni said, “The news that we can now vote from abroad is a matter of great joy. We only hope the process will be made easier. On behalf of expatriate businesspeople, I thank the government.”
Another expatriate, Mohammad Borkat Mahmud Babul, said, “I have been living in the United States for 35 years but never had the chance to cast my vote from here. The current government has created this opportunity for us to exercise our franchise. I sincerely thank Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus for this.”
