Mauritians abroad: the legitimate children of the motherland entitled to vote

[Dev]

Mauritians abroad: the legitimate children of the motherland entitled to vote

Some members of the Mauritian diaspora who was in the country last year to attend the symposium also emphasised their desire to vote even if they do not live in Mauritius. There are thousands of Mauritians who work and study overseas. These people are economic and knowledge-hungry migrants. They are Mauritians by birth and Mauritians at heart. Their bodies may be overseas but their hearts are in Mauritius regardless of how much money one makes overseas. The umbilical cord interred in Mauritius stretches beyond boundaries and is never excised even among those who have renounced their Mauritian citizenship. However, there are thousands who have preserved and cherished their Mauritian citizenship; and continue to travel using their Mauritian passports albeit dual citizenship. These are the people who deserve recognition and should be allowed to vote in general elections in Mauritius.

The present situation is very harmful for the country. Mauritians abroad are not entitled to vote. Just because one is out of the country, the right to vote is taken away and this is a major infringement of one’s human rights. Hundreds of countries recognise and value their citizens overseas. Overseas workers are an industry for some countries like the Philippines. Mauritius is too happy to drop its citizens once they step out of the country. This policy has smacks of archaic communism. It is not surprising that many laureates do not return because they do not feel wanted by their motherland. This can no longer be the policy of a modern Mauritius seeking to compete in the wider world with massive shortage of skills.

The current policy is suicidal from an economic and developmental perspective. It just does not make sense. Mauritius wants to progress while disowning its citizens. At the moment, those who have ministerial friends are being lured back to Mauritius to share their expertise and given employment. Those with a vibrant inner circle are the lucky ones. It should not be like this. There must be an open mass advertising campaign and search for most Mauritians to return permanently. The shortage of skills should be the dictating factor and Mauritians should be invited back to our motherland to contribute, share and push the frontiers of progress and development. We should take a leaf out of India encouraging its businessmen, scientists and technologists abroad to return and lead their industries to generate wealth and employment in and out of India. I recall in the seventies, how countries like Singapore were advertising in UK, “If you are a Singaporean, your country needs you.” I also know many who responded and look where Singapore is today. Countries that value their citizens do progress and change for the better. Countries, who deny their citizens their rights, stagnate. We do not want our country to stagnate in any shape or form.

We want our right to vote and play an important part in the development of our motherland. This is proven by the Mauritian Diaspora and hundreds of Mauritians abroad who contribute their skills, knowledge and expertise through the national press, the independent radio and short visits to Mauritius. Individual Mauritians have slaved day and night working in hospitals and have sent money for years to help relatives and started small businesses to create jobs for our brothers and sisters in Mauritius. There are many Mauritians who have organised charities and collected money for our needy and vulnerable brothers and sisters in Mauritius. There is a lot of constructive work that has gone on for years and is still going on. It is about time that these people are recognised and given the right to vote and their citizenship restored.

Some people say once one is out of Mauritius, it is impossible to keep up with current happenings. This is old hat. Globalisation has shrunk the world and developments in technology with the advent of the microchip and email service has made the world one big country with instant written, visual and audio communication. People run businesses from overseas. The cybercity underlines this point with so many outsourcing companies anchoring there to make the most of lower wages. When Mauritians are overseas, their patriotic feelings are heightened and the true love for our country surfaces. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. This compels us not only to keep in touch but to know what is happening in our country, sometimes more than those still in Mauritius. We are Mauritians and we want to be recognised as Mauritians with birthright to vote in a democratic country. We are the legitimate children of Mauritius. We want our motherland not only to recognise us but to embrace us as equals among her siblings.

Driving the point closer home, I am an employer in Mauritius. I have invested in a social enterprise to create jobs for our local people and have positive impact on our village. I pay my taxes and contribute to the economy. I am in touch with Mauritius and its news almost on a daily basis. I have a Mauritian passport and my children do so too. I am in Mauritius once or sometimes twice a year doing business. Yet, I am not allowed a vote in the general elections. This cannot be right. What do I have to do to regain my birthright?


Dr. Taleb DURGAHEE
Email: drtdurg@yahoo.com

[Rocco]

I have raised this issue umpteen times with people high-ups in politics, in the media and on political platforms,to no avail.
So long we have repetitive insecured geriatric politicians who sit comfortable in parliament, we, the mauritians from abroad, never stand a chance executing our rights to vote for our island.
OUR KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS AND JUDGEMENTS PRESENT A THREAT TO THOSE SO CALLED MINISTERS AND DEPUTIES.

Rocco