NEW DELHI, Feb 22:
The Election Commission (EC) is poring over a proposal to make online voting arrangements for non-resident Indians (NRIs), following many representations made by expatriate Indians.
The proposal may not take shape in this Lok Sabha polls, but NRIs may soon be able to cast their ballot, even if they are not back home.
According to EC sources, the poll watchdog recently received several requests regarding this matter, including one from Rajya Sabha MP and industrialist Naveen Jindal and the Ministry of Overseas Affairs.
“This proposal requires a lot of work and it could easily take us a whole year to make appropriate changes to the law and evolve a foolproof online arrangement, which would ensure secrecy of vote.
“We’ll pursue this more seriously after the general elections,” said the sources.
Of the three options – postal ballot, voting at an Indian mission abroad or online voting – officials favour the last. Indian missions do not have enough resources to organise voting and there is not enough time to mail paper ballots abroad and get them back in time for counting. According to rough estimates, there are about one crore Indians settled abroad, of which 60 lakh could easily be of eligible voting age.
They could hold considerable sway in election results, especially in states such as Punjab, Gujarat and Kerala, where a number of expats hail from.
NRIs were given voting rights in 2010 through an amendment in the Representation of People Act, 1951. To allow them to vote from overseas, the poll panel will have to recommend another amendment to the Law ministry. It will also have to ensure that the secrecy of the ballot is maintained and security concerns are addressed. (UNI)
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