Earlier, NRIs did not have any voting privilege. However, an amendment to the Representation of the People Act in 2010 granted them the right to vote, with a stipulation that they must physically return to India and visit a polling booth to cast their vote.
Lok Sabha election 2024 are scheduled from April 19 to June 1. Eligible voters will exercise their right to vote during the elections voting period. During the recent presidential elections held in Russia, Russian citizens living in India casted their votes through special arrangements made by the Russian government. Are you aware about your voting rights if you are living abroad? Does the Indian government facilitate the voting process for Indians living in foreign countries? Let’s read the article and find out.
Can NRIs vote in Indian elections?
Indians living abroad have the right to participate in elections in India. Until 2010, NRIs did not have this voting privilege. However, an amendment to the Representation of the People Act in 2010 granted them the right to vote, with a stipulation that they must physically return to India and visit a polling booth to cast their vote. Two more conditions are that the Indians living abroad must possess Indian citizenship and should be at least 18 years in age.
Prior to this amendment, according to the law, if an Indian citizen lived in another country for more than six months, their name was removed from the voter list. After the new law, voting rights were given to NRIs.
How to enrol as an NRI voter
Election Commission of India provides online services to NRIs willing to cast their votes during elections. Indians living abroad can visit the official website https://voters.eci.gov.in/. On the website, choose the option ‘New registration for overseas (NRI)’ under the ‘Forms’ section on the home page. Click on ‘Fill Form 6A’ and a new page will appear. Complete the registration process. After logging in again, fill in the required details, attach the documents, and submit Form 6A.
EVM and postal ballot
For casting your vote as an NRI, you will have to visit the respective polling booth in India. The two existing methods for voting involve casting a vote using an EVM or a postal ballot system. The postal ballot service is only provided to certain government officials and employees involved in election administration, and military personnel etc.
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