NRIs may soon get to vote remotely with e-ballots

NRIs may soon get to vote remotely with e-ballots

Bharti.Jain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:02.12.2020

Non-resident Indians (NRIs), who at present must cast their vote in person in India, may soon get to vote remotely from their country of residence — perhaps as early as in-state polls due in May next year — if a proposal sent by the Election Commission to the law ministry finds acceptance.

The EC has suggested that NRIs be allowed to vote through electronically-transmitted postal ballot system (ETPBS), a facility already available to service voters that include members of the armed forces, paramilitary and government employees serving abroad.

In a November 27 letter addressed to the law secretary, EC proposed necessary amendments be made in the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, “at the earliest” to enable the Indian diaspora to vote through postal ballot, adding that it is “technically and administratively ready to extend this facility in general elections to legislative assemblies of Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry”. Elections in the five states are due in May next year. EC in its letter stated that it has been receiving several representations from the Indian diaspora to facilitate voting through postal ballot since such overseas electors are not in a position to be present in their polling area as travelling to India for this purpose is a costly affair and otherwise too, they cannot leave their country of residence owing to compulsions like employment, education or other engagements.

Times View

It is welcome news that technology is being used to help NRIs cast their vote from their country of residence. But the EC must also take note that millions of resident Indians are unable to vote simply because they are away from where they are registered to vote on polling day. This anomaly should also be urgently addressed. In today’s era, technology makes it feasible.